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https://theconversation.com/an-expert-explains-the-stranding-of-97-pilot-whales-in-wa-and-their-mysterious-huddling-before-the-tragedy-210453>
"Sad scenes are unfolding in Western Australia after a pod of pilot whales
became stranded on a beach late on Tuesday. According to the latest reports, 51
of the whales have died. Some 46 remain beached and authorities are working
desperately to get them back out to sea.
Pilot whale strandings unfortunately occur in WA, and other Australian states,
from time to time. In recent years they have also occurred in New Zealand and
Scotland. But this stranding is unusual because of the behaviour the whales
exhibited prior to becoming beached.
The pod of long-finned pilot whales began congregating in the ocean off Cheynes
Beach on Monday evening. They remained in a “huddle” on Tuesday, raising fears
a stranding was imminent.
I am a marine biologist who specialises in marine mammals. I am based at the
University of Western Australia’s Albany campus, about 70 kilometres from where
the stranding occurred. Sadly, the chances of survival for the remaining whales
is very low – and time is fast running out."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
