Dead whale found on Gwa beach

By Admin 27 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 April 2023, Gwa

A whale was found dead on the beach in Kyeintali subtownship, part of Arakan State’s Gwa Township, on Wednesday morning, according to the Fisheries Department.

Passersby found the whale near Kywe Chai Village, and officials from the Department of Fisheries subsequently examined the carcass, said residents.

“The whale is believed to have floated in with the rising tide. By the time we went to see the dead whale, it had already begun to smell a bit,” said U Myint Tin, a resident of Kywe Chai Village.

Fisheries Department personnel examined the dead whale and buried it at the beach near the village on Thursday morning.

U Ko Ko Naing, head of Kyeintali subtownship’s Department of Fisheries, said the fish was a dwarf sperm whale, was 7.5 feet long and died of natural causes.

“This whale came to the shore after it died. According to our examination, the whale died of natural causes. Since this species of fish is a rare species, we are working to inform local fishermen not to catch and kill them. Fishermen have been ordered to notify the Fisheries Department if they find such whales alive,” he added.

There are more than 40 species of porpoises, dolphins and whales found in waters off the Myanmar coast, several of which are endangered.

A whale shark measuring 26 feet in length was found dead near Kyaukkhamauk Village in Kyaukphyu Township on April 1.