Grey whale washes up in Dubai

The Grey Whale is one of the oldest species of mammal, dating back 30mn years.

A grey whale weighing in at nine tonnes and measuring 12 metres was found floating in the marine channel access to Jebel Ali Port on Sunday.

The mammal, which died seven to ten days ago, was extracted from the water by a team of specialists from the Environment, Health and Safety regulatory arm of Dubai World (EHS). Several gashes were discovered along its body, indicating it could have died from collisions with boats or ships.

It was transferred to Al Hibab region, where it will be buried to aid decomposition and its skeleton embalmed for the purpose of scientific research.

EHS CEO Ahmed Abdul Hussain said “Grey whales are an endangered species in the North-western Pacific (Asian) region. We hope the dead whale will be destined to be a research specimen for scientists because of the immense significance in using the DNA protected in the bones for research and analysis in the future”.

“The species reproduction rates are minimal and unless the negative interference in their habitat is decreased, their population will continue descending towards extinction” he added.

Grey whales grow to between 11 and 15 metres in length and can weight up to 35 tonnes, living between 50 and 60 years. The species were once called ‘Devil Fish’ because of their fighting behaviour when hunted. The animal is one of the oldest species of mammals, having been around for 30 million years.

The Northeast Pacific stock of grey whale is currently listed as Lower Risk (Conservation Dependent) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Burn and then embalm?
Posted by confused, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 23 October 2007 at 09:00 UAE time

Why would you bury the whale and then embalm it? Sounds a little weird.

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