A female porpoise found in Hong Kong waters is believed to have died while giving birth.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong’s Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) said on Tuesday that the mammal was found in Mirs Bay and was believed to have died while giving birth after it was discovered with a stillborn calf.
The carcass had been spotted by a partner boat captain of the institute.
According to a watermarked photo supplied by the institute, the porpoise was found at around 9.45am off the coast of Ap Chau Island, close to Shenzhen’s Yantian District.
“It appears to be a deceased finless porpoise, with the abdomen bloated from decomposition, causing it to float upside down,” Professor David Baker, director of SWIMS, told the Post.
“[There is] no evidence of a collision from the ventral side, but we cannot see the dorsal side, which would be the usual impact area in a boat or propeller collision,” he added.
