8-foot-long dead Irrawaddy dolphin washed up on Kuakata beach again

Dead dead Irrawaddy dolphin

Patuakhali: A dead Irrawaddy dolphin, about 8 feet long, has washed up on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali again, causing concern among locals. The dolphin washed up with the tide in the old Shutki Palli area on the west side of the beach on Saturday (April 11) evening.

Locals said that the dolphin's skin had been removed, its stomach had burst and there were injury marks on various parts of its body.

Local people Abdul Jalil was the first to see the dolphin and reported the matter to the concerned authorities. Initially, it is believed that it is an Irrawaddy dolphin. This species of dolphin has a round head and does not have a long beak like normal dolphins. They live in shallow coastal waters and large rivers of Southeast Asia. It is an endangered species and plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine environment.

Team leader of the Kuakata Dolphin Protection Committee, Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, said, "Such incidents are a warning sign for us. The death of the dolphin indicates the deterioration of the coastal environment. It is important to quickly investigate the cause and take effective measures."

Joint convener of the Coastal Environment Protection Movement (UPRA), Abul Hossain Raju, said, "The repeated washing up of dead dolphins and turtles proves that our marine environment is under threat. Uncontrolled fishing, plastic pollution and reckless movement of boats may be responsible for this."

Forest Department's Mahipur Range Officer, Md. Moniruzzaman, said that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the dolphin's death. In addition, surveillance has been increased in the coastal areas and work is being done to make the locals aware.

Meanwhile, members of the Dolphin Protection Committee, Kuakata Municipality, Forest Department and local voluntary organizations jointly buried the dead dolphin. - Gofran Palash