Kendrapada: The carcass of an endangered Irrawaddy dolphin was recovered from Pentha beach in Kendrapada district on Monday, forest officials said.
The dolphin, measuring approximately 6 feet 2 inches in length, is believed to have died at sea several days ago before its body drifted ashore, officials said.
Local residents first noticed the carcass on the beach within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which falls under Bhitarkanika National Park, and alerted the forest department. Officials subsequently recovered the carcass and initiated an examination to determine the cause of death.
Authorities said the exact reason behind the dolphin’s death will be known only after further investigation.
The Irrawaddy dolphin enjoys the highest level of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. He added that the species is recognised as migratory and is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the authorities added.
According to wildlife experts, the Irrawaddy dolphin is among the most threatened cetacean species inhabiting the coastal, estuarine and riverine ecosystems of the Bay of Bengal and parts of Southeast Asia, making such deaths a matter of conservation concern.
