Palghar: 16-Metre-Long Dead Whale Found Along Dahanu Coast, Forest Department Conducts Post-Mortem Before Burial

On November 8, a massive 16-metre-long whale was discovered dead along the Dahanu coast in the Arabian Sea. The carcass was found near the Chikhla Creek bridge in the Saravali beat area of the Dahanu Forest Division. The forest department swiftly arrived at the scene, collecting samples for examination and preparing to dispose of the whale according to protocol.

The deceased was identified as a male whale, aged around 25 years and weighing approximately 20 tonnes. It was found lying on its back, likely washed ashore by the incoming tide. The precise cause of death will be determined following a post-mortem examination. The burial process was completed by 8:30 pm the same day. The operation faced a brief delay due to high tide, but a JCB excavator was deployed around 5 pm to dig a pit alongside the whale.

The whale was then buried and the pit covered with soil, with assistance from various teams including the police, disaster response, Coast Guard, and local residents. The Dahanu Range Forest Officer Naveen Machhi oversaw the proceedings. The forest department has issued a public advisory, cautioning citizens against handling any dead or injured marine animals found on the coastline and urging them to report such incidents to the department's helpline at 1926.