India

Massive tropical whale found dead on Chennai coast; buried

Dec 4, 2018, 9:55 AM IST

Chennai: Carcass of a 22.5 feet tall tropical whale was found on Monday at Kanathur beach near Chennai. It is suspected that the whale might have been injured by a large ship, that eventually might have caused its death. Sea Turtle Protection Force found the whale in the inter-tidal zone of Kanathur beach. It is said that it is a juvenile male whale with 1.3 metres long tail and 80 cm long flipper. It weighed about three tonnes. There was a deep cut on its tail. Tropical whales, also known as Bryde’s whales, generally reside within 40° from the equator on either sides. There  are  also speculations that the whale might have been tied to the boat and left here by fishermen when they did not find any buyer for the same. Later, the officials concerned buried the whale on the shore of Kanathur beach.