A giant dead sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) was sighted by local fisherfolk off Antarvedi coast near the confluence point of river Godavari into Bay of Bengal in East Godavari district. Since 2010, many dead sperm whales have been recorded off the Andhra Pradesh coast. Rajamahendravaram-based wildlife biologist Kumpatla Bajali told The Hindu after examining the photos of the dead whale; “The species is ‘Sperm Whale’ as per its anatomy structure and other body features. We have records that many sperm whales have been washed ashore dead off the coastlines of Srikakulam and Machilipatnam and Krishana estuary in recent years”. Mr. Selvan has added that the Sperm Whale species fall under the Schedule-II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Source: The Hindu May 19, 2021 06:39 UTC