30-Foot Baleen Whale Carcass Washes Ashore at Paradip Coast

Bhubaneswar: In a rare and striking sight along the Paradip coastline, the carcass of a 30-foot-long baleen whale washed ashore at Sandhkuda Beach under the Kujang forest range in Jagatsinghpur district on Tuesday, drawing large crowds of curious onlookers.

The massive marine mammal was first noticed by fishermen returning from the sea with their daily catch. “We saw something huge floating near the shore and immediately informed the villagers,” one of the fishermen said. Soon, locals gathered at the beach to catch a glimpse of the giant whale.

Upon receiving information, forest officials rushed to the spot. Kujang Forest Ranger Sanjay Pradhan stated that the whale was in an advanced stage of decomposition, with visible scars and signs suggesting previous entanglements.

“Such entanglements are common among baleen whales due to their feeding behaviour. There is also a possibility that the whale might have been hit by ships or fishing vessels before drifting to the coast,” he said.

A team of veterinary doctors collected viscera samples from the carcass and sent them to Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, for further examination. Assistant Conservator of Forests Gagan Bihari Mallick said the exact cause of death would be determined only after the laboratory report is received.

Meanwhile, forest personnel have been deployed at the site to guard the carcass. Authorities have urged locals to maintain a safe distance from the area, citing health and safety concerns.