The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Beached whale carcass raises a stink

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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Beached whale carcass raises a stink

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

WASHED ASHORE: The carcass of a whale that was washed ashore on the Poonthura beach on Friday. The carcass was later carried away by the waves to another part of the coastal belt.

Thiruvananthapuram: Residents in the coastal belt of the city from Poonthura to Panathura were in for a sleepless night on Friday after the rotting carcass of a whale was washed ashore on the beach.

The carcass measuring more than 40 ft in length beached at Poonthura at noon.

It was later transported by the waves further south to the area near the estuary where the Karamana river flows into the sea.

Residents said the stench of the carcass had pervaded the entire area.

“We tried burning incense sticks to remove the odour, but to no avail. Tourists may pack up and leave soon if it persists,” said the owner of a resort.

By late evening, Revenue, Police, Forest and local body officials visited the area after residents raised a clamour for action.

District Forest Officer Pradeepkumar said veterinary surgeons would carry out a post-mortem examination on the carcass on Saturday to identify the species and ascertain the cause of death.

Tahsildar Madhu Gangadhar said efforts to dispose of the carcass would begin only after the post-mortem and collection of samples.

The City Corporation is readying its machinery to help bury the carcass on Saturday. Chairman of the Corporation’s standing committee on Health G.R. Anil said the Mayor and senior civic officials would visit the spot to identify the location where the carcass could be buried without causing a health hazard.

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