Dead Irrawaddy Dolphin found washed ashore in Sitakunda’s Guliakhali beach
With the help of local residents, the carcass was buried near the beach to prevent further contamination
A dead Irrawaddy dolphin, a protected and endangered species, was found washed ashore in a decomposed state at Guliakhali beach in Sitakunda, Chattogram, yesterday (8 October).
The forest department recovered the carcass in the evening after being alerted by local residents. Sitakunda Coastal Forest Range Officer Roni Ali confirmed that the dolphin was later buried near the beach.
"Locals spotted the dead dolphin on the shore around 5pm and informed us," Roni Ali told The Business Standard.
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"When we arrived, we found a decomposed Irrawaddy dolphin about five feet long. The body had started to rot, spreading a strong odour. Locals believe the dolphin was washed ashore by the early morning tide."
He added that the forest department, with the help of local residents, buried the carcass near the beach to prevent further contamination.
According to Prothom Alo, the Forest Department has initiated an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Before the dolphin was buried at the site around 36 hours after it washed ashore, samples were collected for examination. Officials suspect the dolphin may have died due to injury or old age.
The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a euryhaline species, capable of living in both saltwater and freshwater, and is commonly found in coastal waters, estuaries, and river mouths across Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.
Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, the species is listed in Schedule I and is protected in Bangladesh.
