27-Meter Long Whale Carcass Spotted Off the Coast of UAE Town

Published November 27th, 2017 - 01:55 GMT
The wind, waves and sea currents had apparently brought the carcass into UAE's waters (Environment and Protected Areas Authority-Sharjah)
The wind, waves and sea currents had apparently brought the carcass into UAE's waters (Environment and Protected Areas Authority-Sharjah)

A 27-meter long whale believed was found dead off the coast of Khor Fakkan near the commercial port, an official said on Monday.

The carcass was spotted by a local fisherman who reported it to the Coast Guard around 6 a.m.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, said that they are working to tow the whale to the shore.

Apparently, the whale had migrated from the open ocean towards the Horn of Africa. Authorities said it seemed that the whale was hit by a ship’s propeller that eventually led to its death.

The wind, waves and sea currents had apparently brought the carcass into UAE's waters, towards the Khor Fakkan port area.

The Coast Guard then informed Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and the local municipality.

The authority now plans to put the whale’s skeleton on display in a Kalba protected areas facility which will be inaugurated next year.

The center will also take DNA samples of the whale for research purposes.

“We rarely get whales as big as this one on our coast,” said Al Suwaidi, adding, “we think displaying it in one place in the emirate is good for children and others to educate them about marine life,” she said.

Khor Fakkan Municipality staff are working to transport the whale to the Environment and Protected Areas.

 

 

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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