Surathkal, 30 June 2011: A mammoth whale was found dead on the shores of Tannirbavi near here on Thursday. A large number of people thronged the beach to have a glimpse of the aquatic giant.
A foul smell had already started emanating from the decaying carcass. The whale is about 15 to 20 ft long. The reason for the whale’s death has not been ascertained.
However, fishermen say that the whale must have either got injured by the blades of some ship or must have died a natural death.
Many others say that the whale must have come very close to the shore and must have found it difficult to return to deep sea due to low water level.
The whales like cold weather. Hence, they are rarely found in the coastal belt alive. Most of the time, carcasses of whales get deposited on coastal shores.