A one-ton and five-meter dolphin was found dead on the coast of Abu Galum, a protectorate in Southern Sinai.
The Environment Ministry dubbed it one of the biggest dolphins in the world, comparing its size to the Killer Whale, or Orca, according to Egypt Independent.
The administration for South Sinai protectorates provided support to the Abu Galum team with the help of the local community there, Egypt Independent reported. Sheikh Salama Masmah, head of al-Hayawat tribe, provided safe transportation to take the dead dolphin to where it will be buried in the protectorate.
The protectorate, headed by Ahmed al-Sadeq, took the necessary samples needed for studies. Its skeleton will be taken to an Egyptian museum for scientific research purposes.
The cause of the death is, so far, unknown.
While the area is diverse with marine creatures, dolphins are quite the sight roaming around the Red Sea. However, pollution and disruption often endanger the ecosystem.
In June 2015, Hurghada Misdemeanour Court affirmed a six-month-imprisonment sentence for a boat captain for harassing dolphins.
The captain was also fined on charges of disturbing dolphins, threatening their lives and compelling them to flee areas where they take care of their young, violating the Natural Protectorates law.
Established in 1983, Law No 102 for Nature Protectorates forbids catching, transporting, killing or disturbing wildlife, and stipulates that an aggressor will be fined between EGP 500-5000 with the possibility of imprisonment for up to a year. For repeat offenders, the fine reaches between EGP 3000-10,000.
The ruling was a rare one, as dolphins are systematically harassed, bothered, or encouraged to jump on for a tip from visitors.
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