Three days on, giant whale festering off Odisha coast

Odisha Sun Times Bureau:
Brahmagiri, Dec 29:

Even after three days of spotting a giant whale carcass at Gouda Nuagaon beach under Krushnaprasad block near Brahmagiri in Odisha’s Puri district, it seems to be a daunting task for the Forest officials to fish out the mammoth mammal ashore despite being cut into three pieces.

In the meantime, the huge whale was washed 5 KM away and was found near Siyandi beat house.

On Sunday, a ten member team comprising of a veterinary doctor, Chilika Wildlife Division DFO, and Rambha Range ACF among others reached the spot for investigation. In spite of cutting the whale into three with the help of local fishermen, it could not be pulled to the shore leading them to peg it to a tree off the coast.

As per preliminary autopsy report, the whale is believed to have died after being hit by a ship or deep sea fishing vessel.

The dead whale measuring around 30 feet in length, 12-15 feet in girth and weighing approximately 10 tonnes had raised curiosity among villagers.

Probing villagers had gathered in huge numbers on the beach to have a glimpse of the large aquatic mammal.

It may be noted that a 32 feet long, approximately 75 years old sperm whale was washed ashore near Kelua river mouth of Astarang on December 3.