For the first time in Bangladesh, locals in Patuakhali district’s Kuakata have found a dwarf sperm whale, scientifically known as Kogia sima.
The mammal, which looks like a dwarf shark, was found alive by the residents, but unfortunately, died two hours later, said Nadim Parves from Bangladesh Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
Although locals tried to push it back to the sea to save it, the whale kept floating back to the shore with the tide, he said.
Meanwhile, after an autopsy of the whale, it was found that the mammal was pregnant with two babies. The samples found in the autopsy were sent to the Wildlife Crime Control Unit.
“Some volunteers from Kuakata Dolphin Conservation Committee shared detailed pictures of whale on Facebook. We were all amazed at the pictures they shared because we have never seen a Kogia sima in Bangladesh before,” Parves told Dhaka Tribune.
He noted that this whale almost resembled a shark with a square head, a forward-jutting snout, and white lines around its head which resemble fake gills.
Dwarf sperm whale found in Kuakata beach Monday, May 24, 2022 Dhaka Tribune“The mammal also has a small sac hanging off its intestine, which is filled with reddish-brown liquid. It uses the substance to hide from its predators, like octopuses, as dwarf sperm whales cannot rely on their size to protect themselves,” he added.
Md Rasel Mia of WCS said: “Finding a dwarf sperm whale in Bangladesh is an astonishing discovery as we know very little about this whale. Although the species has never been seen in WCS-led research in the seas, it is possible that there are more dwarf Kogia whales than what we previously thought.”
Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the whale's death, he said before adding that there is ample evidence from around the world suggesting plastic debris from the ocean is to blame for most of the deaths.
Plastic can block their digestive tract, causing them to starve to death. This species is also at risk of extinction, he told Dhaka Tribune.
He later thanked the locals, and Kuakata Dolphin Conservation Committee for trying to save the whale’s life by pushing it back to the sea and contacting experts.
“They deserve full credit for discovering a new species of whale that has never been seen in Bangladesh,” he added.
