GEORGE TOWN: The carcass of a dolphin was found at the Teluk Bahang beach near Angsana Hotel on Thursday.
It is believed to have been washed ashore by the waves.
State Fisheries Department director Zarina Zainuddin said the dolphin might have died after sustaining injuries from a ship collision, breaking free from a fishing net or while chasing for food in shallow waters.
"The dolphin is of the 'ambu porpoise' (finless porpoise) species.
"It can grow up to 1.5m to 2m in length and weigh between 45kg and 75kg.
"This year, there have been six strandings involving endangered species, including dolphins and turtles," she told the "New Straits Times" when contacted.
Photos of the dolphin's carcass have since gone viral.
Earlier last week, several fishermen rescued a distressed dolphin at Teluk Kumbar here.
It was reported that the 1.5m-long porpoise was seen struggling with the currents close to shore and seemed distressed.
Noticing something was not right, the fishermen guided it back to deeper waters.