Blue Whale Found Dead at Gwadar, WWF Probes Cause
Blue whale Gwadar waters have claimed another giant of the sea, after a 30-foot blue whale was found dead near Gwadar East Bay. The whale had been sighted swimming at different locations in Gwadar’s waters over the past two days before waves carried it towards the shore, where it was found on Wednesday. Its arrival has raised fresh concern about Pakistan’s fragile marine ecosystem and about the survival of some of the ocean’s rarest inhabitants.
For two days, the whale drifted through waters off Gwadar, carried by currents, before the sea brought it to the shore. Its body was found near the shore, where relatively shallow waters may have contributed to the animal becoming stranded. The incident has prompted concern among marine conservationists, with organisations working to assess the circumstances surrounding the whale’s death.
Blue whale Gwadar: what WWF has said
WWF-Pakistan has begun further investigations into the death, and the actual cause remains unknown. According to WWF-Pakistan technical adviser M Moazzam Khan, the death of a large whale is a worrying development for marine biodiversity. Preliminary assessments suggest that the animal may have entered shallow waters, where its ability to navigate could have been compromised, causing it to lose its way and drift towards the coast.
That explanation is preliminary, not a conclusion. A whale that strands in shallow water may already have been sick, injured or disoriented, and only further investigation can separate those possibilities. WWF’s inquiry will therefore matter more than the first account of the stranding, because it will establish whether the death points to a wider threat in Gwadar’s waters or to the fate of one animal.
A pattern along Pakistan’s coast
The latest incident is not an isolated one. Pakistan’s coastline has witnessed several cases of large whales being stranded or found dead over the years, underscoring the vulnerabilities facing marine life in the region. In April 2019, a whale measuring around 34 feet was found dead along the Gwadar coast. In May 2023, another dead whale, measuring approximately 42 feet, was discovered at Bandari beach in Jiwani. In November of the same year, a 27-foot Bryde’s whale was found dead near Pasni. More recently, in June 2024, a whale measuring around 35 feet was spotted floating dead in the sea near Kantani, Gwadar.
Taken together, those cases show a pattern worth noting: large whales have been found dead along this stretch of coast repeatedly in recent years, in Gwadar itself and in nearby waters at Jiwani and Pasni. Each case had its own circumstances, and the record does not by itself prove a single cause. But the repetition means each new stranding should be investigated properly, with its findings recorded, rather than treated as a one-off curiosity.
Gwadar’s waters are also home to other marine life that draws attention from conservationists. Feature Pakistan reported on a pod of bottlenose dolphins off Gwadar, a reminder that the same coastline supports dolphins, whales and other species whose health reflects the state of the sea. The Tribune report gives the full account of the stranding and WWF’s response.
Frequently asked questions
How big was the whale found at Gwadar?
The whale measured 30 feet and was found dead near Gwadar East Bay after being sighted in Gwadar’s waters over the previous two days.
What caused the whale’s death?
The cause remains unknown. WWF-Pakistan has begun further investigations, and preliminary assessments suggest shallow water may have affected the whale’s navigation.
Who is investigating the death?
WWF-Pakistan is investigating, with technical adviser M Moazzam Khan commenting on the preliminary assessment.
Have whales been found dead here before?
Yes. Cases include a 34-foot whale at Gwadar in April 2019, a 42-foot whale at Bandari beach, Jiwani, in May 2023, a 27-foot Bryde’s whale near Pasni in November 2023, and a 35-foot whale near Kantani, Gwadar, in June 2024.
Why does a single whale death matter?
The death of a large whale is a worrying development for marine biodiversity, and repeated strandings along this coast make proper investigation important for understanding threats to marine life.
