26 feet long whale shark found dead at Kyaukphyu shore

Narinjara News, 3 April 2023

Local villagers reported that a 26 feet long whale shark was found stranded at a sea shore near Kyaukkhamauk village of Gyin Gyi village tract under Kyaukphyu township of Rakhine State by 4 pm on 1 April.

According to them, the shark was found at Shauk Chaung Chaung Phyar (known locally as Pasat Chaung Phyar) shore, which is one mile away from Kyaukkhamauk village.

"The shark is about 26 feet long and its girth  about 10 feet. We found it stranded and dead," said Ko Maung Win Kyaw hailing from Kyaukkhamauk village.

The villagers went to catch crabs in Shauk Chaung Chaung Phyar and saw the dead shark in a creek. The shark was later transported to the village by a boat.

Kyaukkhamauk village falls under number 7 provision and is about 18 miles away from Kyaukphyu township.

The whale shark, a member of the well-known genus shark family, can grow up to 18 feet (in length) and weigh over 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).