Teams from Dubai and UAE-affiliated environment authorities rushed to the Jebel Ali canal after DP World reported the sighting of a huge 15 tonne-heavy bryde’s whale in the waters.
Although the Bryde’s whale is a rare species around the UAE’s waters and only a few reported in the Arabian Sea, DP World alerted the authorities of the whale found dead on the Jebel Ali coast and teams of marine experts descended onto the scene to investigate the deceased.
Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) is leading the investigation alongside Zayed University to complete a necropsy of the whale carcass. The studies hope to unravel more details about the Bryde whale’s species and its evolution.
“This work on the autopsy of the Bryde’s whale was part of a program launched by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority named Sharjah Stranding Response Programme. The purpose of the necropsy is to identify the causes of death and for other scientific research purposes. The Bryde’s whales have smooth bodies with dark gray skin on top, and white skin on the bottom, and they are found only in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority
Check out the last time Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency spotted a Bryde’s whale close to the capital’s coast in January last year.
Read: TWO ENDANGERED WHALE SHARKS SPOTTED OFF ABU DHABI COAST
(Featured photograph credit: Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority)
Desi Scene Dubai 