RECENTLY, a 16-second video showing the carcass of a whale stranded on a beach went viral on social media.
It was claimed that the carcass washed up at Pantai Kampung Baru in Sungai Miang.
Is it true that a whale carcass washed up somewhere on a beach in Pekan recently?
Verdict:
True
A carcass of a 10m-long whale was found in a decomposed state on Pantai Sungai Miang in Pekan, on Sunday (Feb 23).
The marine mammal was found by fishermen who initially thought it was a log at around 4pm and is estimated to have been dead for several days.
Facebook user Iqbal Adzrin posted photos and a video of a whale and a turtle carcass whale stranded on the beach.
The Fisheries Department said a team from the Pahang Fisheries Department, together with the Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) at Rantau Abang (RA), Terengganu was deployed to the location.
"The whale carcass has been decomposing for a long time, making species identification difficult.
"Therefore, the IPPRA team will take samples to conduct eDNA analysis to determine the species more accurately." the Fisheries Department said in a statement.
It also said that the species might be a Bryde or Fin (finback) whale.
The department also thanked the public who provided information regarding the discovery and that they had acted based on the said information.
"Such cooperation is very important in the effort to conserve and preserve marine life in the country's waters.
"For the public's information, under the Fisheries Act 1985, whale species are protected under provisions related to endangered marine species.
"Therefore, any disturbance or exploitation of whales is prohibited and can be subject to legal action," the statement said.
Last year, an 80kg whale was found stranded at Kampung Tanjung Batu in Pekan.
