A dead whale washed ashore on the bank of the Andharmanik River. Photo: BSS

BARGUNA, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - A dead baleen whale, measuring around 32 feet in length, washed ashore on the bank of the Andharmanik River here today.

Local people spotted the whale near Harinkhola Bazar, adjacent to Charpara village under Barabagi Union of Taltali upazila, around 7am on Wednesday. 

Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation General Secretary Md Arafat Rahman said the whale was believed to have died about a week ago. Its body had turned over due to decomposition.

Environmental activist Arifur Rahman said that the whale was initially spotted near the mouth of the Andharmanik River in the morning, but by around 11am it was drifting towards the deep sea. The authorities of the Forest Department were subsequently informed.

Taltali Range Officer Ziaur Rahman said efforts were underway to bring the dead whale towards Nishanbaria. Samples would be collected from the carcass before it is buried, he said.

Professor Dr Md Rajib Sarker of Patuakhali Science and Technology University said it was a baleen whale. Unlike toothed whales, baleen whales have baleen plates that they use to filter small fish and krill from seawater.

"The presence of such whales in the Bay of Bengal is important for the region's biodiversity," he said, adding that an examination of the carcass would be necessary to determine the cause of death.