Dead humpback dolphin washes ashore at Arambol

Panaji: Following two incidents of carcasses of an Olive Ridley turtle and a Green Sea turtle washing ashore at Miramar and Bogmalo last week, an Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was found dead on the Arambol-Mandrem beach stretch on Sunday.
Goa Stranding Network, which comprises various voluntary organisations and was set up in 2017 under the guidance of the forest department, visited the site and completed the formalities of disposing of the carcass.
“It was a sub-adult humpback dolphin and it was in an advanced state of decomposition,” a source said.
No postmortem could be carried out, and the carcass was buried at a dry spot on the beach.
The forest department recently formed two marine ranges for coastal areas of both districts to attend and address incidents of stranding of marine animals. “It is also setting up a stranding cell to handle cases in a timely manner in accordance with global stranding response protocols,” the source said.
Marine animals are at risk from discarded ghost nets, plastic waste, pollutants and often get caught as accidental bycatch in nets.
The humpback dolphin is protected under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, on par with the tiger. It is a coastal, residential species of dolphin that is seen in waters up to 50 feet deep. Being highly intelligent, they live as social beings in family pods of five to seven members, and their feed comprises mackerel, tuna, kingfish and sardines.
It is a highly endangered species as its limited habitat range is also impacted by multiple anthropogenic stressors.
The Goa Stranding Network also works in coordination with the forest department in programmes to sensitise the public in matters related to marine biodiversity.