KUCHING: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has launched an urgent response following the discovery of a whale carcass washed ashore on Telok Melano beach yesterday (Apr 5).
In a statement posted on its Facebook page today, SFC said immediate action was taken in response to a viral video clip showcasing the whale carcass, adding that an internal team from the corporation is en route to investigate the remains.
“With preliminary observations suggesting it could be a Bryde’s whale (𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖), a species of baleen whale also known as Mysticeti.
“Efforts are underway to definitively identify the species. Notably, Bryde’s whales were previously spotted over the Talang-Talang Islands, close to the current location, during a 2008 aerial survey conducted by SFC,” it said.
It added the corporation’s forensics team will examine the carcass thoroughly and report their findings.
“Park staff are currently safeguarding the carcass in preparation for the forensic examination,” it said.
SFC said the incident highlights the rich biodiversity of Sarawak’s seas, home to at least 21 cetacean species, including the Bryde’s whale, fin whale, humpback whale, and several species of dolphins and porpoises, of which all these species are protected under Sarawak’s Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1998.
On a related note, the corporation said on March 18, a pygmy sperm whale was successfully rescued and returned to the sea by local fishermen after being found stranded in shallow waters at Pantai Luak, Miri.
Meanwhile, SFC chief executive officer Abang Arabi Abang Aimran extended his gratitude to the community for their vigilance and assistance and encouraged the public to report any similar wildlife incidents to the authorities.
Yesterday, Sarawak Civil Defence Force (APM) said its coast guard personnel had discovered the whale carcass at 12.30pm.
