Almost 100 pilot whales die in mass stranding in Western Australia

Almost 100 pilot whales huddled collectively for nearly a day in shallow waters off the coast of Western Australia earlier than beaching themselves on the shores. 52 whales died throughout the beaching, and the remainder of the pod was finally euthanised.

The pod huddled collectively, forming a circle form, spreading out right into a straight line, and even forming a free coronary heart form for just a few moments.

Researchers have been confused by the behaviour, and started to worry a mass beaching.

Marine mammal ecologist on the College of Western Australia Kate Sprogis mentioned that ‘Wholesome pilot whales don’t usually behave like this, and whenever you see it, you assume there’s one thing odd happening.’

On Tuesday afternoon, 25 July, the pod swam to the shore and stranded themselves on Cheynes Seashore by Albany.

‘ As soon as a pilot whale is out of the water, its organs will be step by step crushed below its personal weight. Even when whales are efficiently returned to sea, they may usually strand themselves once more,’ The New York Times reported

Conservation officers and volunteers rushed to rescue the whales, however by Wednesday morning, 52 had died. The rescue crew labored to herd the remaining whales out to sea, however they restranded themselves additional up the seaside. Officers mentioned that the survivors needed to be euthanised.

Researchers are uncertain why mass strandings occur. One in every of their theories is that when the matriarch falls sick and swims to shallow water, the remainder of the pod members observe. Their second concept is that loud offshore underwater sounds disorientated the pod.