RARE BLUE WHALE FOUND STRANDED

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The blue whale that beached
at Batu Buruk here is said to be a Kogia Breviceps (Pygmy Sperm Whale), a
species rarely found in Malaysian waters, Malaysia's east coast state of
Terengganu Fisheries Director Munir Mohd Nawi said Wednesday.

He said the 3.14m female blue whale, weighing an estimated 150kg, had
critical injuries with scratches on its body and pectoral fins.

"The whale was still alive when it was washed ashore at around 9.30pm
yesterday but died an hour later due to the injuries," he told a news conference
here.

Munir said the carcass would be preserved and kept in the fisheries gallery
in Dungun for display and student research.

The whale was found alive on the Batu Buruk beach by members of the public
but died after attempts to drag it back into the water failed due to strong
waves.
-- BERNAMA