Carcass of 20-feet-long whale washed ashore near Pamban

20-foot whale found dead in Pamban, Ramanathapuram district; suspected to be blue or bryde's whale, samples collected for study.

A 20-feet-long one-year-old whale was found dead in the seashore near Therkuvadi at Pamban in Ramanathapuram district on Wednesday (December 11, 2024).  

S. Mahendran, Forest Ranger, Pamban range, said, the whale weighed about 1.5 tonnes and as it was not fully grown, it was suspected to be either blue whale or bryde’s whale.  

However, to confirm it, veterinarian doctors and scientists from the Central Marine Research Institute have collected the samples for a study. 

“As the whale did not have injuries, it could not be an accident. It is assumed that due to disorientation owing to the strong currents, the whale might have lost route and got stuck in a low area,” Mr. Mahendran said.  

When they cannot return to deep waters, the shallow area might suffocate and kill them, he noted.