Gulf of Thailand whale found dead despite good health

A Gulf of Thailand whale found washed up on a beach between Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi was in very good health before it died, marine vets say, and they still cannot explain what killed it. The Bangkok Post reported the findings on Monday, 9 November, citing the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

The animal was a male Bryde's whale at the sub-adult stage, measuring 11.2 metres. A local resident, Chamroon Pongpitak, alerted the authorities on 5 November after spotting the carcass on the shore where the two provinces meet in the upper gulf.

What the vets found

DMCR officials carried out the examination over Friday and Saturday. By then the body was badly decomposed and much of the skin had peeled away, which made the work harder. A department spokesman did not name the exact beach.

Even so, the team was able to record several clear findings:

• A thick layer of blubber, about 6.5 centimetres, showing the whale had been well fed and in very good condition.
• A long abrasion, roughly 2.5 metres, on the left side of the body.
• Minor bruising to the muscles along the upper middle of the body.
• No abnormalities in the heart, blood vessels or lungs.
• A large amount of food still in the stomach.
• Small foreign objects in the intestines, including a piece of processed wood around 8 centimetres long and a nipa palm nut.

The liver, kidneys and pancreas had already broken down too far to be examined. The vets found no disease signs that could account for the death.

Why the Gulf of Thailand whale death is a puzzle

Because the whale was healthy, well fed and showed no sign of illness, officials believe it died suddenly. That is what makes the case unusual. Many stranded marine mammals turn out to be thin, sick or tangled in fishing gear. This one was none of those things, at least on what the vets could still check.

The 2.5-metre abrasion and the muscle bruising will draw attention. The DMCR has not said what caused them, and it has not said a boat strike killed the whale. Its public advice, however, points clearly to the risk from boats. The department is asking fishermen, boat operators and the public in the area to slow down when whales are close by, keep a safe distance and avoid approaching or disturbing the animals.

Tissue and organ samples have been sent for further laboratory tests, and those results may give a clearer answer. Until then, the cause of death remains officially unknown.

Minister orders closer watch on rare whales

On Saturday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin told the DMCR to monitor the Bryde's whale population in the upper gulf more closely. He stressed that these rare mammals need protection and asked boat users to take more care when moving through the area to prevent collisions.

The upper gulf, off provinces such as Phetchaburi and Samut Songkhram, is one of the best-known places in Thailand to see Bryde's whales feeding close to the coast. The whales draw boat trips and wildlife photographers, which also means more vessels share the water with them.

What it means for Thailand's seas

For readers in Phuket and along the Andaman coast, the case is a reminder that Thailand's marine wildlife is under steady pressure from busy waters, pollution and changing seas. Recent concern over coral health has followed the same pattern, as covered in our report on Phuket coral reef sensors tracking bleaching.

Thai authorities have also been tougher on wildlife crime, from mud turtles seized at Suvarnabhumi to a Japanese traveller caught smuggling wildlife at a Thai airport.

For people who go out on the water, the advice from the DMCR is simple:

• Cut speed as soon as a whale is seen.
• Keep well back and never chase or circle the animals.
• Report stranded or injured marine animals to the DMCR or local officials straight away.

The full report is available from the Bangkok Post. Phuket Times will follow up when the DMCR releases the laboratory results.

Image: Bryde's whales off Bang Tabun, Phetchaburi, the same upper gulf area where the Gulf of Thailand whale was found. Photo by Nik Cyclist from Bangkok, Thailand, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 2.0.