Researchers Preserve Specimens of Blue Whale in Jiwani

News Desk

Islamabad: The Pakistan Museum for Natural History (PMNH) will preserve the specimen of a recently discovered 36-foot-long dead Blue Whale that reached shore on the coast of Jiwani Gwadar, Balochistan, last Friday for public awareness and scientific research.

According to the PMNH, the concerned authorities identified it as a Blue Whale, one of the three whale species found in Pakistan’s waters, alongside the Bryde’s whale and Arabian humpback whale.

Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Director General Mujeeb Ur RehmanQambrani declared to preserve dead Blue Whale specimens for public awareness and research.

In response to a request from GDA, a team of PMNH zoologists comprising Muhammad Asif Khan, Dr. Muhammad Abbas, Dr.Shabbir Ali Aamir, and Dr.RifaqatMasroor arrived onsite to examine the dead Blue Whale specimen to preserve its remains and skeleton.

The PMNH officials are of the view that the Blue Whale specimen will be a valuable addition to the existing collection of natural history specimens in the museum.

The PMNH was established in 1976 under the patronage of the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan. It has four divisions: botanical sciences, earth sciences, zoological sciences, and public services. The first three divisions are engaged in the collection, preservation, identification, and research activities related to the plant, animal, fossil, rock, and mineral resources of Pakistan, while the latter is responsible for public education through dioramas, exhibits, lectures, workshops, seminars, posters, film shows, etc.

PMNH also provides consulting and advisory services to public and private sector organisations. Its scientists work on various projects for the popularisation of natural history through research publications, displays, exhibits, and dioramas.