Gory death in Penang waters

New Straits Times 9 Jan 09;

GEORGE TOWN: A dolphin's carcass was washed ashore at the Bayu Senja beach in Batu Ferringhi.

Boestamam Ismail said he and his friend were shocked by the condition of the two-metre-long, 45kg dolphin.The carcass was disembowelled, its skin had turned white and it emanated a foul smell.


He believed the dolphin had died several days ago.

"I think the dolphin might have lost its way and entered Penang waters. It's weird... so many sea animals seem to be turning up dead."
Last Friday, beach-goers at Teluk Bahang were surprised to see the carcass of a rare giant whale shark.

The majestic seven-metre-long, two-tonne mammal was trapped in the net of a trawler about 18km off Pulau Kendi.

It was still alive when it was towed ashore at 5.30am, but died shortly afterwards.

On Dec 14, the carcass of a two-metre-long dolphin was spotted floating off the Esplanade seafront.

It was later pulled out of the water by a local television channel cameraman, who happened to be at the spot.

The dolphin had suffered a deep cut on the head, believed to have been caused by the propeller of a boat about two or three days earlier.