Explorer

Pilot Whales Stranded On Australian Beach, More Than 50 Dead

Mass whale strandings are generally witnessed in Australia and neighbouring New Zealand due to large colonies of pilot whales living in the deep oceans surrounding both island nations.

In an unfortunate incident, more than 50 pilot whales died after stranding on a remote beach in Western Australia. Close to 100 long-finned pilot whales were first spotted swimming on Tuesday morning near Cheynes Beach east of Albany. But as the day progressed, the pod of whales were seen creating a heart-shaped colony before getting stranded on the beach. By close to evening a large stretch of the shoreline was covered in beached whales. The event was captured in a drone footage and shared on the internet.

"Sadly, 51 whales have died overnight after a mass stranding," Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement, reported news agency Reuters.

"(We) are working in partnership with registered volunteers and other organisations to try to return the remaining 46 whales to deeper water during the course of the day," the officials said further.

ALSO READ: Blue Whale Found Washed Up At Meghavaram Beach In Andhra Pradesh. Watch

According to marine experts, pilot whales are notorious for their strong social bonds, so when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest usually follow. The unusual behaviour could also indicate stress or illness within the pod, some experts opined. 

Mass whale strandings are generally witnessed in Australia and neighbouring New Zealand due to large colonies of pilot whales living in the deep oceans surrounding both island nations. However, it remains a mystery as to how these whales get trapped on beaches.

A pilot whale is estimated to be almost 1000 kg and can be nearly 4-metre-long.

ALSO READ: PM Modi To Mamata Banerjee: AI Artist Gives 'Barbie' Makeover To Indian Politicians

Top Headlines

Ring Camera Captures Dog Escaping Moments Before Ceiling Collapses Inside Texas Home
Ring Camera Captures Dog Escaping Moments Before Ceiling Collapses Inside Texas Home
'You're From F***ing India': Indian Tourists Confront Bangladeshi Waiter In Italy Over Racist Slur
'You're From F***ing India': Indian Tourists Confront Bangladeshi Waiter In Italy Over Racist Slur
China Zoo Paints Donkey As Zebra, Video Goes Viral 
China Zoo Paints Donkey As Zebra, Video Goes Viral 
Why You Can't Stop Scrolling: Science Behind TikTok's Grip On Your Brain
Why You Can't Stop Scrolling: Science Behind TikTok's Grip On Your Brain

Videos

BREAKING: Court Recovery Records Detail Cash, Dollars and Valuables Seized in Ayodhya Temple Case
BREAKING: Exclusive Recovery Records Reveal Major Cash Haul in Ayodhya Temple Offering Theft Case
No Cap With Megha Prasad: Was the Ram Mandir Donation Scandal Suppressed on June 5?
Ram Temple Donation Theft: Biggest Misappropriation Allegedly Took Place During Maha Kumbh, Say Sources
Ram Temple Donation case: Akhilesh Yadav Says ‘Lord Ram Made Me a Medium’ to Raise the Issue

Photo Gallery

25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Embed widget