A 30-foot blue whale was found dead near Gwadar East Bay after reportedly swimming in different locations off the coast for two days before currents carried it towards the shore.
The whale’s body was discovered near the coast on Wednesday, where shallow waters may have contributed to the animal becoming stranded.
The incident has raised concerns among marine conservationists, who are assessing the circumstances surrounding its death.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Pakistan technical adviser M Moazzam Khan said that the death of a large whale was a worrying development for marine biodiversity.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the whale may have entered shallow waters, where its ability to navigate could have been affected, causing it to lose its way and drift towards the coast. However, the actual cause of death remains unknown and WWF has launched further investigations into the incident.
The latest discovery comes as Pakistan’s coastline has witnessed several cases of large whales being stranded or found dead over the years.
In April 2019, a whale measuring around 34 feet was found dead along the Gwadar coast.
In May 2023, another dead whale, measuring approximately 42 feet, was discovered at Bandari beach in Jiwani. Later that year, in November, a 27-foot Bryde’s whale was found dead near Pasni.
In June 2024, a whale measuring around 35 feet was spotted floating dead in the sea near Kantani, Gwadar.
The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the risks facing marine life along Pakistan’s coastline, with conservationists continuing to assess the circumstances surrounding whale deaths and strandings.
