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Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris, remains recovered on the Pakistani coast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2009

M.A. Gore ,
E. Ahmad ,
Q.M. Ali ,
R.M. Culloch ,
S.A. Hasnain ,
B. Hussain ,
P. Iqbal ,
S. Kiani ,
C.D. MacLeod  and
E.C.M. Parsons
...Show all authors
M.A. Gore*
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, KA28 0EG, Scotland, UK
E. Ahmad
Affiliation:
WWF-Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
Q.M. Ali
Affiliation:
Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, Pakistan
R.M. Culloch
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, KA28 0EG, Scotland, UK
S.A. Hasnain
Affiliation:
WWF-Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
B. Hussain
Affiliation:
WWF-Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
P. Iqbal
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
S. Kiani
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
C.D. MacLeod
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
E.C.M. Parsons
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Virginia, USA
P.J. Siddiqui
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
R.F. Ormond
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, KA28 0EG, Scotland, UK
U. Waqas
Affiliation:
WWF-Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M.A. Gore, University Marine Biological Station, Millport, KA28 0EG, Scotland, UK email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Beaked whales are not a commonly encountered species, but Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphiuscavirostris, is the most cosmopolitan. Nonetheless, little is known of its distribution in the north-eastern Indian Ocean, particularly along the coasts of India, Pakistan and Iran. Here we present the first confirmed record of the species for Pakistan from a stranded specimen that was found during a routine beach survey. None have been seen during inshore boat surveys to date. Considering the level of naval activity and seismic surveys in the waters off Pakistan, incorporation of mitigating measures and monitoring surveys are suggested to avoid potential beaked whale mortality. This is the first confirmed record of Z. cavirostris on the Pakistani coast and is an important finding for the Pakistan Biodiversity Action Plan and their National Conservation Strategy for marine mammals.

Keywords

Strandingmortalityconservationsurveyskullimmature femalenorth-eastern Indian Ocean
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 1 , January 2008 , e90
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2007

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