Mumbai: Another dolphin washes ashore at Gorai beach

The body of an Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin washed ashore at the Gorai beach on Thursday, making it the fourth case this year since January.

Experts are suggesting that the level of decomposition in the body indicates that the animal died about a week ago.

The state forest department lacks proper infrastructure to ascertain the reason behind such deaths.

"We know very little about these mammals. We don't have experts to conduct the autopsy of the dolphin," said a junior-level official of the forest department.

"The body did not bear any external injury though its internal organs had ruptured and spilled out of its mouth," said Ankit Vyas, wildlife volunteer, who rushed to the spot and clicked this picture.

Local volunteers are suggesting that the dolphin might have died due to choking on plastic or due to internal infection.

The local fishermen informed the Gorai police around 2 pm who in turn informed Vyas who reached the beach at 3 pm, along with Sanjay Pagare, an official from Mangroves cell of Maharashtra forest department.

After a discussion between the ones present and the chief conservator of forest, state mangrove cell N Vasudevan, the body was buried at a place near the beach, where water doesn't reach. Meanwhile, this being the fourth case this year since January has angered animal lovers.

"The government claims absence of experts. They are not even trying to develop the infrastructure required. Despite of writing several times to introduce an SOP to deal with such emergencies, the forest department has not paid any heed to it. They should monitor marine vehicular traffic regularly, test the water from time to time to understand pollution levels, introduce ways to detoxify water and restore habitat loss. We cannot afford to keep on losing such majestic and rare creatures, which are already facing extinction," said an agitated Pawan Sharma, founder, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare.

Meanwhile, Vyas suggests a high-level committee should be formed to tackle such important issue.

"The committee should have members from the forest department, BMC officials, mangrove cell and Coast guards. A little help from senior researchers of marine wildlife biodiversity will not hurt," said Vyas.

Trivia:
12 such cases last year

Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphin also called Pink Dolphin for the colour of its skin

Called Sousa by the locals

Declared near threatened species by the IUCN in 2008