Updated: September 24, 2020 8:48:14 am
A pod of whales is seen stranded on a sandbar in Macquarie Harbor, near Strahan, Tasmania, Australia (Image AAP / The Advocate Pool, Brodie Weeding via Reuters)
Since Monday, more than 450 long-finned pilot whales have died in Australia in what is called the largest whale stranding on record in Australia. The whales were stranded on a remote beach on Tasmania’s west coast.
Why do whales go to the beach?
Whales are known to be stranded on beaches around the world and do so individually or in groups. While individual strandings are primarily attributed to injury or illness, it is unclear why exactly the whales roost in groups.
Even so, there are some theories that could explain this behavior. One reason could be that some whales follow schools of fish or other prey in shallow water, causing the whales to become disoriented, as a result of which they are stranded. Another reason could be the panic of being caught by a predator such as killer whales or sharks. Another possibility is that the whales are drawn ashore by prey-rich currents. Also, the shape of the beach and shoreline could also play a role. For example, if the beach has gently sloping shores, whales that rely on echolocation for navigation can be fooled.
According to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, the species most frequently stranded on Australian beaches are those that use echolocation or sonar for navigation, such as the pilot and sperm whales.
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Rescue efforts to save whales stranded on a sandbar take place in Macquarie Harbor, near Strahan, Tasmania, Australia, on September 22, 2020 (Image AAP / The Advocate Pool, Brodie Weeding via Reuters).
What Happens When Whales Are Stranded?
According to a press release issued by Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, from an aerial survey, most of the stranded whales appear to be dead. To save those who are still alive, the scientists and workers involved in the rescue mission try to drag the whales away from shore and guide them back into the water.
Scientists and workers involved in the rescue tried to guide the whales back to the sea. (Image from AAP / The Advocate Pool, Brodie Weeding via Reuters)
Are these strandings common?
Whale stranding is not a rare or recent phenomenon. While dead individuals would naturally make their way to shore, the massive beaches have baffled humans since at least 300 BC. “It is not known why they sometimes run aground on the seashore,” said Aristotle. “It is claimed that this happens when fantasy takes them and for no apparent reason.” Centuries later, the Romans thought that being stranded was the punishment of a whale for offending Neptune, the god of the seas.
Prior to this, the largest stranding to occur in Tasmania occurred in 1935 when more than 294 whales were stranded. This stranding also involved long-finned pilot whales.
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