Rescuers searched for survivors when a pod of Whales numbering about 150 washed ashore in Western Australia on Friday. Most of the Whales are dead which prompted a massive effort to save survivors among them as the authorities are concerned about an incoming tropical cyclone which is approaching fast, forcing them do things in hurry.
The whales were at first spotted on the beach by a fisherman in Hamelin Bay which is about 180 miles south of Perth, the BBC reported. The whales are believed to be the short-finned ones among which a majority has already perished. But despite that rescue efforts are on by Parks and Wildlife officials, veterinarians and other volunteers among others. They were soon underway to save the lot. As of now they opine that 15 out of the total survived.
“The strength of the animals and the windy and possibly wet weather conditions will affect when and where we attempt to move them out to sea,” said Jeremy Chick, an official from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. “The main objectives are to ensure the safety of staff and volunteers, as well as the whales’ greatest chance of survival.”
The pile-up of so many bodies of whales prompted an immediate shark alert for nearby shores due to the possibility of predators getting attracted to the dead carcasses, the BBC reports.
The cause of the event is still unknown while the scientists are working to get the details pertaining to the incident. The mass beachings of such whales with long-short-finned pilot whales are not infrequent in Western Australia, Curtin University marine biology specialist Bec Wellard noted during an interview with ABC Australi.
Most of such incidents occur due to human activity, serious illness or may also be due to the pod making a navigational error. In the year 2009, a total of 80 whales and dolphins died in a mass beaching which occurred at the same location. In another such incident 20 whales were washed ashore in Bunbury, western Australia in the year 2015.
Whales are considered the biggest animals on earth. They are social animals and communicate with each other by way of variety of sounds. A group of whales is called as Pod. They travel in groups and navigate using a combination of senses detecting the ocean floor or any upcoming hurdle. They mostly consume smaller animals like shrimp like creatures called Krill. Whales are widely distributed around the Worlds’ ocean and are a diverse group of fully aquatic placental marine mammals. Blue whale is considered the biggest one among them and the smallest is the dwarf sperm whale. The life of some whales may last upto 80-110 years. The weight of the biggest whale, blue whale is about 181,437 kilograms.