A tragic mass stranding event in Western Australia has resulted in the death of more than 50 long-finned pilot whales, while authorities and volunteers are racing to save 46 others stuck in shallow waters, CNN reports on July 26. The incident occurred at Cheynes Beach, and the Parks and Wildlife Service of Western Australia, along with hundreds of volunteers, are making efforts to return the stranded whales to deep water.
Long-finned pilot whales, identified by their black colour and bulbous foreheads, can grow up to 25 feet (7.6 metres) long and are commonly found in the waters of the Southern Hemisphere and North Atlantic Ocean. The cause of the stranding remains unknown, but wildlife researcher Vanessa Pirotta pointed out that the pod demonstrated the rare behaviour of huddling together prior to the beaching, which could indicate an attempt to avoid a predator or disoriented pod member.
Unfortunately, pilot whale strandings are not uncommon worldwide. Similar incidents have occurred in Tasmania, Australia, where around 200 pilot whales were beached last September, and only 35 of them survived. Additionally, in 2020, over 450 pilot whales were found stranded in Tasmania's largest stranding event.
Earlier Daryo mentioned that on July 16, a group of 55 pilot whales became stranded on Traigh Mhor beach in North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis.
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