Massive whale washes ashore near Peddathinarla in Anakapalli
A giant whale was discovered washed ashore near Peddathinarla village in Nakkapalli mandal on Monday night, with the carcass coming to public attention on Tuesday.
Joe K. Kizhakudan, head of the Visakhapatnam branch of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), told The coastal Times that preliminary analysis of photos and videos suggests the whale could be a baleen whale (Balaenoptera musculus) or a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), both members of the Baleen family.
Arjilli Dasu, general secretary of the Federation of Indian Fisher Organisations, said locals estimate the whale to be about 100 feet long and weighing around 40 tonnes. He added, “High levels of toxic chemicals in the sea are a major cause of these deaths. Forty years ago, whales, dolphins, and turtles were common sights during winter. Today, pollution from coastal industries has severely impacted the marine ecosystem along coasts, including Anakapalli.”
According to marine researchers, baleen whales and humpback whales are found in the Bay of Bengal, and blue whales are occasionally spotted. Strandings along the Odisha and Andhra coasts usually occur after the monsoon and between November and February, when food supply increases.
Last year, a smaller baleen whale had also washed ashore in Andhra Pradesh.
Experts note that whale strandings are often linked to climate change, changing fish availability, vessel strikes, and pollution, though the exact cause is frequently unclear.
A marine researcher stressed the importance of whale conservation, citing the growing threats from pollution and maritime traffic.