40-foot dead whale floating near Kuakata

A dead baleen whale, approximately 40 feet long, has washed up in the Bay of Bengal adjacent to Kuakata beach in Patuakhali district. Fishermen first spotted the whale floating in the deep sea about 15 kilometers south of Kuakata beach at around 11:30 am on Wednesday.

Upon receiving the news, members of the Coastal Environment Protection Movement Kuakata (Upra) reached the spot and attempted to recover the carcass of the whale. However, as the carcass was partially decomposed, immediate recovery was not possible. It is believed that the whale died about a week ago.

Members of Upra said the carcass was drifting toward the shore due to the force of ocean currents. Locals said this is the largest dead whale to have washed up near Kuakata beach so far. Upra convener Bachchu Khalifa said the movement of the 40-foot-long whale carcass is being monitored from a speedboat at sea.

He added that the carcass may reach the shore by Wednesday afternoon due to the current.
However, the exact cause of death could not be confirmed after examination.

Upra leaders demanded that the whale’s skeleton be preserved by the relevant authorities.