The carcass of a porpoise has washed ashore with the tide at Baharchhara beach in Teknaf on Sunday. Earlier, two porpoises had washed up in the Himchari area in February this year.
This marine mammal was found around 2:00pm on Sunday. Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) Md Tarikul islam confirmed the matter.
He said this is known as the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, with the scientific name ‘Neophocaena Phocaenoides.’ The porpoise, which resembles the Irrawaddy dolphin, is a small aquatic mammal but lacks dorsal fins. While they are black in color as infants, their coloration fades as they age. They can grow up to 5 to 6 feet long, have a robust body, and a somewhat rounded head. This species prefers shallow waters, wetlands, and estuaries.
Typically, they like to move around alone, but they can sometimes be seen in groups ranging from 5 to over 50 while feeding. Their diet includes fish, squid, shrimp, octopus, and occasionally marine plants. Usually, the porpoise gives birth in the spring or summer.
The porpoise is classified as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. According to the latest survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society, a total of 13 species of cetaceans or marine mammals have been identified in the Bay of Bengal. Among these, there are 8 species of dolphins, 4 species of whales, and only one species of porpoise.
When asked about the matter, Principal Scientific Officer of Cox’s Bazar Marine Fisheries and Technology Center under Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the porpoise's body shows signs of injury. It may have died after getting entangled in fishing nets or by colliding with a boas or suffering injuries from other causes. He saidthat noise and water pollution, as well as the construction of dams, harbors, and other structures, have also posed threats to their survival.
