The mystery behind whale strandings

Animal rescue teams save majority of pilot whales

April 25, 2024

By Editorial Staff

Rescue teams successfully managed to save the lives of more than 100 pilot whales after a dramatic operation conducted in the coastal town of Dunsborough, south of Perth. The massive effort, which involved wildlife officials and local volunteers, resulted in the return of 130 whales to the sea, according to the Department of Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia (DPAW).

“Overwhelming sight” witnessed during the rescue operation

During the operation, Ian Wiese, Chair of Geographe Marine Research group and a member of the rescue team, expressed his astonishment at the sheer number of stranded whales. “You can see how closely packed (together) the whales were. I’ve managed (whale strandings) before but nothing ever of this size,” Wiese told CNN.

Successful rescue efforts, but concerns for future strandings remain

Out of the 160 whales initially beached, the rescue team managed to return 130 whales back to the ocean. However, 28 whales unfortunately perished. Wildlife officials are keeping a close eye on the released whales, as these pods can often re-beach themselves. “So far, they have remained off the beach,” Wiese reported.

The complexities of saving stranded whales

Time is of the essence

Animal behaviorists and marine scientists have previously highlighted the challenges of rescuing beached whales. These marine creatures can only survive on land for approximately six hours before the conditions become critical. The rescue team members worked tirelessly to keep the blowholes of the stranded whales clear and held them upright to provide support.

The importance of social structure in whale pods

Pilot whales are highly sociable and known for their tight-knit pods. They continuously offer support to sick or injured members during their time at sea. However, the care process can be disrupted if an injured whale finds itself in shallow waters. Hazards and the failure of echolocation can lead to entire families of whales becoming stranded together.

Evaluation of the situation

While the cause of the mass stranding remains unclear, Ian Wiese mentioned a “newly-born calf” which he observed among the stranded whales. The presence of a calf with an umbilical cord attached suggests that it may have been a contributing factor to their stranding.

Instances of pilot whale strandings

Mass strandings of pilot whales have been reported in various parts of the world, leading to devastating consequences. In Scotland, over 50 pilot whales lost their lives in a similar event last year. During the same time, wildlife officials in Western Australia were forced to make the difficult decision to euthanize stranded long-finned pilot whales.

This recent successful rescue operation serves as a glimmer of hope in the face of such tragic incidents. The collaboration between local communities, wildlife officials, and dedicated volunteers brings us one step closer to understanding and effectively addressing the mystery behind whale strandings, in the constant quest to preserve and protect marine life.