Friday, March 29

Some 150 Pilot Whales Die on Beach in Western Australia, Despite Major Rescue Efforts

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Almost all of the 150 beached whales have died in a mass stranding in Hamelin Bay, about 180 miles south of Perth in Western Australia. Just a handful have survived, while more than 100 volunteers are trying to return them to deep water. Meanwhile, the government has issued a shark alert since sharks have become frenzied in their efforts to reach some whale carcasses in the water.

The beached whales were first spotted by a local fisherman. Rescue attempts were thwarted by deteriorating weather conditions and the rocky shoreline, plus the weight and size of the whales. These whales are all pilot whales, a species which is known strand themselves.

Scientists do not know why the whales tend to beach themselves. They think it might be due to a navigation error that leads them to long, gently sloping beaches. And sometimes whales send out distress signals that attract other whales, who then become stranded themselves. Read more:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-43509685

 

 

 

 

 

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