PEKAN: The usually quiet Kampung Tanjung Batu near here was abuzz yesterday following the discovery of the remains of a dead whale washed ashore at the traditional seaside settlement.
The 80kg mammal measuring some three-metres in length is believed to be from the toothed whale (Odontoceti) group as it only has teeth on its lower jaw.
Villager Mohd Iqbal Zahir Mohd Khamsani, 36, said he was walking at the beach with his children about 6.30pm on Monday when he stumbled upon the carcass lying on the beach
"I was the first to spot the stranded animal and when I went closer to inspect, there were no signs of any injuries and it seemed that the whale had just been pushed towards the shore by strong waves.
"I have only seen huge whales on television and this is the first time I got close to the animal and touched it. The animal might have ended up dead on the beach during the high tide phenomenon that occurs before midnight," he said, adding the dead whale had attracted a huge group of curious onlookers.
Iqbal Zahir said he returned to the beach yesterday and found the bloated carcass lying several metres away from the previous location.
Meanwhile Che Rosnimaliza Che Roslan,42, said fishermen in the village previously claimed they spotted dolphins swimming along the water surface near the settlement but there were no reports of whales being sighted.
"The entire village was shocked to see such a huge whale washed ashore. The animal might have died at sea before it was swept towards the shore....I hope the authorities investigate the cause of death," she said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Fisheries Department director Abdullah Jaafar said his officers had gone to the village today to inspect the dead whale and make arrangements to dispose of the remains.
In 2008, a 10m-long Bryde's whale got stranded at the Kuala Nenasi estuary in Pekan before it died some 24 hours later. An autopsy revealed the mammal had swallowed plastic waste including a bottle cap which clogged its intestine.
