Kendrapara: Carcasses of three dolphins were found today on Pentha beach in Pattamundai of the district.
Locals said that the carcasses were spotted this morning while dogs were scavenging the carcasses. Locals immediately informed the forest officials which reached the spot and started an investigation.
“We suspect the dolphins of dying after being hit by fishing trawler. We will also conduct a postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of death,” said a forest official.
The death of dolphins, however, has emerged as a major concern for forest officials which is preparing for a census of the mammals. Dolphins have been included in Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
The annual dolphin census conducted in January this year has revealed presence of as many as 126 dolphins in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and its nearby areas within the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district.
Ms Kalinga