Researchers have discovered an ancient skeleton, believed to be of Bryde’s whale, around 12 km from the coast of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. The skeleton measures 12m, with 3m long skull. Though the bones are yet to be carbon dated, however, they are thought to be approx. 3000 – 5000 years old. The skeleton found is almost perfectly preserved and the researchers have been able to identify 19 complete vertebrae, 5 ribs, a shoulder blade and fins of the whale. The experts feel that this discovery would be very helpful in understanding the paleobiological (branch of palaeontology dealing with fossil life forms with reference their evolution and origin, etc.) and geological conditions at that time, and in knowing more about the contemporary biological communities at that time. Bryde’s whales are still found in the waters around Thailand. They live in warm temperate and tropical waters.
