A Finless porpoise dies consuming Polythene

Bhubaneswar, Mar 9: An adult black finless porpoise was found dead recently on the Puri coast after consuming polythene.

Dolphin researchers from the Chilka Development Authority(CDA) rushed to the Puri coast to examine the carcass of one baby Irrawaddy dolphin as it was reported by the media which was found to be an adult of Black Finless Porpoise.

CDA Chief Executive Sudarshan Panda said after a detailed analysis of the gut contents, it was ascertained that cause of death was due to intake of polythene that blocked the passage from gullet to stomach.

He said perhaps the animal could not either himself or choked to feed and death due. Such incident clearly revealed the incidence of disposing polythene materials in and around aquatic habitat was not only polluting the habitats but also causing harm to the aquatic life in general, Mr Panda pointed out, The Black Finless Porpoise, Mr Panda said, resembled closely with rare Irrawaddy Dolphins but it did not have a dorsal fin and the average size was about half of an adult Irrawaddy dolphin.

The colour of the porpoise is dark grey, while the lips and chins are light pink in colour. The average size of adult porpoise is about 1.5 mt weighing nearly 40 kg.

The Porpoise, the CDA Chief Executive said, generally feeds on squids, shrimps and small fishes and inhabit inshore coastal water estuaries in India.

Dr Panda said awareness programme on environmental-friendly disposal of polythenes was highly essential in and around aquatic habitats of Orissa and particularly in Chilika lagoon where tourist inflow is very high so that such incidence could be prevented in future.

UNI