CDA to exhibit cetacean skeletons in Orissa

Kendrapada, Aug 19 (UNI) The Chilika Development Authority(CDA) is contemplating to exhibit the skeletons of a whale, two dolphins and a finless porpoise at its visitors' interpretation centre at Satpada, much to the joy of cetacean lovers.

Dolphin Researcher Muntaz Khan said while the skeleton of a whale, washed ashore a couple of years back, had been preserved in a beach of Ganjam, an Irrawady dolphin was found dead in Chilika last year.

He stated that the carcass of another stripe dolphin was recovered in a beach at Ramachandi near Konark in the previous year.

The body of a finless porpoise was also found in Baliapanda beach in Puri last year, according to Mr Khan.

He further informed that a team of researchers had already conducted the skeletal- mounting by jointing the skull and bones of the creatures.

Furthermore, sources said on August 5, a humpback dolphin was also washed ashore in Puri beach and the CDA had sought the permission of the Orissa Chief Wildlife Warden to collect its skeleton.

It would be a great contribution as the knowledge of cetaceans' diversity of Orissa was rarely known, Mr Khan said adding that such step would also help for their conservation.

The Natural History Museum in Bhubanswer has already preserved and displayed the skeletons of a whale as well as an elephant.

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