Local authorities found a 300-kilogram dead dolphin stranded on Sundak Sidoharjo Beach in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta on Thursday.
Gunungkidul Search and Rescue Agency secretary Surisdiyanto said the sea mammal’s corpse was found by one of the agency’s team patrolling the beach at around 5: 30 a.m.
The dolphin was buried around the beach area by local officials and residents to prevent it from decomposing and spreading a foul scent.
“We have yet to identify the cause of its death,” Surisdiyanto said on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com.
He added this was the first reported case of a dead dolphin on the beach this year.
Dolphins are commonly sighted around beaches and waters off Gunungkidul. Fishermen say they often find them while sailing.
Surisdiyanto said the tide was lower than predicted when the dolphin was discovered on the beach. Whales and dolphins commonly get stranded on the beach when they follow the high tide up to the shore.
He went on to say that search and rescue personnel had been deployed to remind visitors of the potential hazard of high tide. Visitors flocked to Gunungkidul beaches during the public holiday to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Maulid).
“We are standing by to monitor the tidal waves,” Surisdiyanto said. (dpk)
