Short communication on stranded Bryde’s whale along Thoothukudi Coast of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Balaenoptera edeni has stranded dead in the bay near Thoothukudi Thermal power plant, Tamil Nadu on 8th July 2016. Wrong guidance of the leader whale, attracted towards heat water, malfunction of internal organs, mechanical injuries by coral reefs, breeding purpose, in search of food, predator avoidance and migration were quoted as the reasons for stranding by several fishers and scientific communities. In addition, morphological and meristic characters have been discussed. The attempt has been made to prove certain indigenous thoughts of fishermen and scientists about the stranded whale and to have an overview about the marine mammal evolution, distribution, feeding ecology and reason framed for whale stranding occurred along in Indian coast.