Forest Department to Preserve 25-ft Bryde's Whale Skeleton in Bhitarkanika
The forest department has made a significant decision to preserve the skeleton of a 25-foot-long Bryde's whale that was discovered washed ashore at the Devi river mouth beach inside Bhitarkanika National Park on Saturday. This remarkable marine specimen will be carefully prepared and eventually displayed at the natural history museum located at Dangamal, adding to the region's educational and tourist attractions.
Expert Examination and Preservation Process
Divisional Forest Officer of Bhitarkanika National Park, Varadaraj Gaonkar, confirmed that the forest department has already buried the whale carcass to facilitate the preservation of its skeleton. On Monday, noted wildlife biologist Siba Prasad Parida and his dedicated team conducted a thorough examination of the skeleton to prepare for the intricate mounting work that lies ahead.
The buried whale will remain interred for approximately two months before excavation begins. "The skeleton will be meticulously mounted by collecting and assembling the bones," explained Parida. "We have already collected crucial DNA, bone, and skin samples from the whale and handed them over to the forest department." These samples will be sent to the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata for comprehensive analysis, including species identification, gender determination, genetic diversity mapping, and assessments of population health and pollution levels.
Parida's Extensive Experience in Whale Skeleton Preservation
Siba Prasad Parida brings substantial expertise to this project, having completed skeleton mounting work for five whales over the past 14 years across Odisha, West Bengal, and Karnataka. His notable previous projects include:
- Preserving the skeleton of a 42-foot male Bryde's whale that washed ashore at Digha beach in West Bengal in 2017.
- Completing skeleton-mounting work for a 31-foot sperm whale found at Devi river mouth near Astaranga in Puri district in 2015, now displayed at the Regional Natural History Museum in Bhubaneswar.
- Assisting the Chilika Development Authority in preserving the skeleton of a 25-foot-long baleen whale in 2013.
- Helping the Natural History Museum in Bhubaneswar preserve the skeleton of a 47.3-foot-long baleen whale in 2012.
- Providing expertise to the Natural History Museum of Mysore in 2016 for preserving a 30-foot-long baleen whale that washed ashore on a Karnataka beach.
Parida's experience extends beyond whales. In 2010, he successfully completed skeletal mounting work by joining the skull and bones of a 20-foot-long saltwater crocodile in Bhitarkanika after unearthing all remains of this marine species.
Conservation and Tourism Implications
Environmentalist Sudhanshu Parida, who serves as secretary of the People for Animal (PFA) district unit, emphasized the importance of this preservation effort. "It is high time for the forest department to preserve the skeleton of this giant whale in Bhitarkanika," he stated. "Building a substantial hall to display such specimens would attract more tourists to the country's second-largest mangrove forest, which serves as an abode for crocodiles and numerous other species."
This initiative represents a valuable opportunity to enhance both conservation education and eco-tourism in the region, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Odisha's coastal ecosystems while preserving important scientific specimens for future study.
