Dead whale washes ashore at Someshwar

A dead whale washed ashore on Someshwar Beach, near here, on Wednesday.

Local people saw it floating in the sea, off the beach, early in the morning. As there was high tide, it washed ashore at about 11.45 a.m.

Students and teachers of College of Fisheries, Mangaluru, who rushed to the beach, measured the whale at 43 ft long.

“It must have died about two or three days ago,” said Benakappa S, Professor and Head, Department of Fisheries Resources and Management, College of Fisheries, who was on the spot.

S.R. Somashekar, a professor in the same department, said that there was an appendix on its back. It appeared to be unusual.

As its body texture was still rough, it appeared that it could have died about two or three days ago, he added.

Mr. Benakappa said that whales are mostly found in deep waters. “They are known to undertake long journeys in search of food and mating grounds. When it comes to why whales beach themselves, scientists have not been able to find a clear answer,” he said.