The recent news has been dominated by the tragic event of over 450 long-finned pilot whales that succumbed during Australia’s largest recorded mass-stranding. The remote beach on Tasmania’s west coast served as their final resting place.
About Beaching or Stranding Events
Beaching, also known as stranding, is a phenomenon where dolphins and whales render themselves stranded onshore. On average, around 2,000 stranding events are reported globally each year, with most ending in the animals’ unfortunate death.
Whales can strand themselves on beaches either individually or collectively. Individual strandings often point towards an injury or illness, but the exact reasons behind group strandings remain unknown.
Probable Reasons Behind Whale Mass Strandings
Several explanations could account for why whales end up stranded en masse. Some whales might pursue schooling fish or other prey into shallow waters, leading to disorientation and eventual stranding. Fear and panic triggered by predatory threats such as killer whales or sharks could also lead to this phenomenon.
Another theory suggests that nutrient-dense currents close to the shoreline could attract whales, resulting in eventual stranding. Many scientists argue that man-made factors like sonar signals and loud underwater noises may contribute to beaching events.
Furthermore, geographical factors such as the shape of the beach and coastline might also play a role in these tragic occurrences.
Protection Measures
In light of this predicament, scientists and workers have collaborated to drag the stranded whales away from the shore and guide them back into the water. Their efforts aim at minimizing the loss of marine life and preserving these magnificent creatures.
Profile of Long-Finned Pilot Whales
Scientifically recognized as Globicephala melas, long-finned pilot whales are one of two species of pilot whales, the second being short-finned pilot whales. Their preferred habitats are deep, temperate to subpolar oceans, but they have also been observed in coastal waters.
Long-finned pilot whales are known to venture close to Antarctic sea ice and are frequently seen associated with the colder Benguela and Humboldt Currents, which might extend their usual range.
Protection Status
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists long-finned pilot whales in Appendix II. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), classifies them as a species of ‘Least Concern’.
Despite these classification, such mass stranding events highlight the importance of continued research and monitoring to ensure these fascinating creatures are preserved well into the future.
