An Irrawaddy dolphin, an endangered species, has washed up on the sandbar of Jahajmara beach in Rangabali, Patuakhali. The dead dolphin was carried in on the salty sea tide and stranded on the sandbar on the afternoon of Thursday, 17 September.

Local fisherman Malek Mia said the dead dolphin washed in on the tide on Thursday afternoon and got stuck on the sandbar. It may have died three or four days earlier.

Mostafa Hossain, a resident of Bhuiyakanda village next to Jahajmara, said: "I have seen it (the dolphin) lying at Jahajmara since Thursday. It looks as if foxes and dogs got at it during the night too."

According to experts, the Irrawaddy is an important species among all dolphins. Though a mammal by species, this dolphin shows similarities with humans. Like humans, it is warm-blooded, and it moves in groups through rivers and the sea like a family.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mashfakur Rahman said: "I have heard about it and will look into it."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.