Endangered Humpback Dolphin Dies After Swallowing Ghost Fishing Net in Kozhikode
Necropsy confirms endangered dolphin died after swallowing discarded fishing net.
Another endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin has been found dead on the Kozhikode coast, with a necropsy confirming that the animal starved to death after ingesting a fishing net. The incident has renewed concerns over the continuing threat posed by discarded or lost fishing gear, commonly known as ghost nets, to marine life along the Kerala coastline. Dolphin carcasses containing fishing nets in their digestive systems have repeatedly washed ashore on Kozhikode beach.
The latest carcass, identified as an Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), was found on Kozhikode beach on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Officials said the animal measured approximately 158 centimetres in length and had a girth of around 140 centimetres. The species is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, making the death particularly significant from a marine conservation perspective.
A necropsy was conducted by K.M. Manojlal, Chief Veterinary Officer at the District Veterinary Centre in Kozhikode, in the presence of officials from the Kozhikode Range Forest Division. The examination established that the dolphin had died of starvation after ingesting a fishing net. The presence of the net in its digestive tract is believed to have prevented the animal from feeding normally, ultimately leading to its death.
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Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been abandoned, lost or otherwise left in the sea, where they can continue trapping marine animals long after they are no longer being used. Dolphins and other marine species can become entangled in the material or swallow parts of it while feeding. In this case, the necropsy findings indicate that the ingested net caused fatal consequences by interfering with the dolphin’s ability to obtain adequate nourishment.
The repeated discovery of dolphin carcasses along Kozhikode beach has highlighted the need for greater monitoring of fishing activity and stronger measures to prevent fishing gear from being discarded into the sea. Marine mammals are particularly vulnerable to such debris because they rely on coastal waters for feeding and movement. The latest death also underlines the difficulty of detecting the impact of marine pollution and abandoned fishing equipment until affected animals wash ashore.
Forest officials and veterinary authorities documented the latest case during the examination of the carcass. While the necropsy has established starvation following the ingestion of a fishing net as the cause of death, the incident adds to growing concern over the conservation of the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin along the Kerala coast. The recurring nature of such cases underscores the importance of responsible fishing practices and efforts to reduce marine debris in coastal waters.
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