A half-decomposed whale carcass has washed ashore, possibly from the Bay of Bengal, near a reserved forest in Barguna.
The cause of the whale's death is not yet confirmed.
Local fishermen found the whale carcass at Chonbunia Char of M Baliatali union on Monday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses and local fishermen report that the whale carcass became visible near the reserved forest as the water receded and the char dried up. Parts of the whale's head were decomposing and emitting a foul smell.
Upon receiving the news, officials from the upazila administration, police, Forest Department and others inspected the site.
Amtali-Taltoli Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Tengragiri Protection Committee Coordinator Arifur Rahman said: “The whale carcass is emitting a foul odour, polluting the surrounding area. The authorities should preserve the whale's bones and bury the flesh in the ground.”
Barguna Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shamim Miah said: "The cause of its death is unknown, and police have been dispatched to the site for detailed information. However, the decomposing whale may spread a foul smell. Therefore, it needs to be buried in a pit.”
He also said that efforts will be made to quickly remove the whale from the forest to prevent the spread of the smell.
Meanwhile, news of the giant whale washing up on the reserve char has attracted crowds of onlookers who want to see it.