The Mahim beach in Palghar district attracted scores of people on Wednesday morning after local fishermen spotted the carcass of a 56-foot-long whale. The whale had washed ashore in the early hours of the day.
When alerted by local fishermen, the Satpati police informed officials from the Palghar forest department about the matter, following which a team from the forest department inspected the carcass.
Forest protection officer Dharanjay Patil said that based on the condition of the carcass, the whale seemed to have died a month ago and washed ashore in high tide.
“We informed the fisheries department, which took samples of bones and flesh. The samples will be tested to identify the species. The carcass was 56 feet long, 15 feet wide and weighed 10 to 12 tonnes,” he said.
According to the locals, the carcass seemed to be of a male whale. However, Mr. Patil said it was difficult to identify the sex of the mammal as it was decomposed, and only lab tests would be able to establish it.
Mr. Patil said due to the huge size and rotten condition of the carcass, it was not feasible to transport it to an alternative spot for burial.
“Considering the health hazard the carcass could cause, it was buried immediately on the spot with the help of an excavator. The process of burying started around 11.30 a.m. and went on up to 3.30 p.m.,” he said.
