Dead Bryde's Whale Discovered at Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha
In a concerning development for marine conservation, a 25-foot-long female Bryde's whale was found dead on Saturday at the Devi river mouth beach within Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district, Odisha. Local fishermen were the first to spot the massive carcass, which displayed visible injuries indicating possible ship collision and previous entanglement marks.
Seventh Whale Death Along Odisha Coast in Six Years
This tragic discovery marks the seventh whale death recorded along Odisha's coastline over the past six years, raising serious questions about marine safety and conservation efforts in the region. The incident has drawn significant attention from both local communities and conservation authorities.
Many residents flocked to the beach to witness the unusual sight, capturing photographs and videos that quickly circulated across various social media platforms. "We first saw a giant whale on Saturday morning while roaming on the beach," recounted Bichitrananda Biswal, a 40-year-old marine turtle researcher from Gundalaba village near the Devi river mouth.
Forest Department Response and Investigation
Villagers promptly alerted local forest officials about the dead whale, prompting forest guards and officials to rush to the scene to examine the marine mammal. "A team of veterinary doctors conducted an autopsy. After getting the postmortem report, we will know the exact reason behind the death of the marine species," stated Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, range officer of Kujang forest range.
The investigation aims to determine the precise cause of death, with initial observations pointing toward human-related factors such as maritime traffic incidents.
Recent Whale Mortality Patterns in Odisha
This incident follows a pattern of whale deaths along Odisha's coast in recent years:
- A 30-foot whale found at Talasari beach on December 4, 2025
- A rare False Killer whale discovered dead in Bhadrak on December 1, 2025
- Several whale shark fatalities across different coastal areas between 2020 and 2024
About the Bryde's Whale Species
Sadhwi Sindura, WWF-India's Oceans and Coasts programme coordinator, provided important context about the species: "The Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is considerably smaller at twelve to nearly seventeen meters in length, and weighing 40 metric tons. They have 40 to 70 throat grooves that expand when they feed. They are named after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian whaler, who established a whaling station in eastern South Africa."
She further emphasized the conservation status of these marine mammals: "It is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act and also part of the list of endangered species kept by the International Union for Conservation of Nature."
The repeated whale deaths along Odisha's coast highlight the urgent need for enhanced marine conservation measures, better monitoring of shipping lanes near sensitive ecological zones, and increased public awareness about protecting endangered marine species in Indian waters.
