Mumbai: Whale Calf Washes Ashore at Bandra’s Carter Road, Dies Despite Rescue Operation (Watch Video)

A juvenile whale that washed ashore near Carter Road in Mumbai's Bandra West on Saturday, June 27, died despite rescue efforts by multiple government agencies, marine researchers, local fishermen and workers from the under-construction Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL). The animal was initially believed to be a blue whale calf, possibly the first such recorded stranding at Carter Road, but was later identified by forest department sources as a 26-foot-long juvenile humpback whale. A necropsy has been conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

The whale was found stranded near Otters Club early on Saturday morning. Authorities and marine conservationists responded quickly after receiving alerts through the Mumbai Stranding Response Network. However, despite coordinated rescue attempts, the whale succumbed to its injuries before it could be returned to sea. How Mumbai Police Foiled Bid To Distribute Rat Poison-Filled Capsules During Muharram Procession.

Juvenile Humpback Whale Found Stranded at Mumbai Coast Dies Before Rescue

A baby humpback whale measuring an estimated 26 feet in length was found stranded between the rocks near Otters Club, close to the Bandra–Versova Sea Link, at around 7:30 am on Friday, June 27. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/qmVLL4cbws

— Bandra Buzz (@bandrabuzz) June 27, 2026

According to Shaunak Modi, marine ecologist, director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation and member of Marine Life of Mumbai, information about the whale stranding near Otters Club at Carter Road was received through the Mumbai Stranding Response Network around 9 am.

The Maharashtra Forest Department and the Mangrove Foundation were informed immediately. Researchers from the Coastal Conservation Foundation, coordinating the response under the Mumbai Stranding Response Network, reached the site by 9.40 am. Officers from Bandra police station and the Mumbai Fire Brigade were already present. Pink Dolphins Spotted at Mumbai’s Marine Drive? Fact Check Reveals AI-Generated Clip Going Viral With Netizens Believing It To Be True.

Officials had been alerted by contractors working at the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL) project site and began efforts to remove the whale with the help of fishers from Chimbai Koliwada.

Modi said, “Upon inquiring with people present there, we were informed that the whale calf was first noticed at approximately 7.30 am by staff on duty, who later informed the Mumbai Police and Mumbai Fire Brigade to begin rescue operations. Unfortunately, the whale, which showed external bruising, succumbed before it could be rescued.”

According to forest department sources, the whale was spotted near the Bandra coastline, following which the Maharashtra Security Force, which assists the Mangrove Protection Cell, alerted senior officials.

Personnel from the Mangrove Protection Cell, Mumbai Police and the fire brigade rushed to the spot. Workers from the under-construction Versova-Bandra Sea Link also joined the rescue effort, deploying a crane and entering the choppy waters along with local fishermen in an attempt to save the animal.

As per legal protocol, the whale was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Forest Department and transported to Versova, where a necropsy was conducted. The carcass was later buried.

Round Forest Officer Sainath Salve said the whale was transported to Versova in a truck around 3 pm and buried. “We made some efforts to rescue it, but the whale died,” he said.

A wildlife enthusiast questioned the official response to the incident. “It is surprising that no senior forest department official visited the spot. A few years ago, when a whale was stranded in Ratnagiri, the state government had deputed senior officials and even arranged boats to guide the animal back to sea,” the wildlife enthusiast said.

Chief Conservator of Forests N.R. Praveen, who heads the Mangrove Cell, said he was not aware of the incident. Retired IAS officer and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) president Praveen Pardeshi described the incident as “very sad.”

“Whales that get stranded rarely survive because their internal organs collapse without the buoyancy provided by water. We need to work on methods to stop them from getting on the beach,” he said.

About the Species

Initial assessments suggested the stranded animal was a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest animal known to have ever lived on Earth, growing up to around 30 metres in length and weighing as much as 200 tonnes.

Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, blue whales are found in oceans worldwide, including the Indian Ocean. Despite their massive size, they feed mainly on tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill and face threats such as ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear and changes in marine ecosystems.

Forest department sources later identified the stranded animal as a 26-foot-long juvenile humpback whale. The findings of the necropsy are expected to provide greater clarity on the cause of death and the circumstances that led to the stranding.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2026 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).