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Pollution may be to blame for finless porpoise death

A Chinese scientist was "brimming over with grief" as he confirmed a finless porpoise had been found dead in central China's Hubei province, state media reported on Tuesday, amid widespread speculation about the cause of death.

An angler reportedly told local police after he discovered the adult female porpoise at Huangshi City Park.

Scientists who carried out an autopsy to determine the cause of death were quoted as saying the animal’s liver and other organs had turned black, suggesting that water pollution may be the culprit. Further examinations are currently underway, the report said.

The animal’s death had been a matter of considerable speculation in the Chinese media. Reports said fishermen using electricity may have killed the animal, or that she may have simply become stranded.

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