Baleen whale carcass washes up on Dahanu shores

Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic

A 16-metre-long male baleen whale was found dead on the shores of Dahanu in Maharashtra's Palghar district, forest department officials said on Monday.

The carcass of the 25-year-old mammal washed up near the Chikhla Creek bridge on Sunday morning, prompting a joint retrieval and burial operation by the forest department, Indian Coast Guard, and local marine rescue groups.

According to forest officials, the whale washed ashore during high tide on Saturday night, but the exact cause of death will be determined following a post-mortem examination.

Excavators were deployed to dig a deep pit along the shore, and tissue samples were collected for medical testing before the mammal was safely buried near the shoreline, they said.

The forest department has urged citizens not to touch any dead or injured marine animals found along the coastline and to immediately report such occurrences to its toll-free helpline number 1926.

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