Harveylives
11-25-2003, 04:34 PM
More than 100 whales die in mass beaching in Australia
Tue Nov 25, 2:51 AM ET Add Science - AFP to My Yahoo!
HOBART (AFP) - More than 100 pilot whales have died after beaching themselves on the coast of Australia's island state of Tasmania. Tasmanian Environment Minister Bryan Green told parliament the carcasses of 103 short-finned pilot whales had been found on a remote stretch of the state's west coast.
"This type of event is always the cause of much sadness," Green said.
The whales had apparently been dead for some time and were found Monday by an abalone diver operating in the area, he said.
"I understand a similar event in New Zealand occurred only a week ago," Green said, referring to 12 giant sperm whales who washed up on beaches near Auckland.
Scientists have long puzzled over why whales, and particularly pilot whales, beach themselves in large groups.
Some experts suggest pilot whales are particularly susceptible to mass beachings because the live in herds and if one animal gets stranded, the others may simply follow or get caught trying to help the beached whale.
Tue Nov 25, 2:51 AM ET Add Science - AFP to My Yahoo!
HOBART (AFP) - More than 100 pilot whales have died after beaching themselves on the coast of Australia's island state of Tasmania. Tasmanian Environment Minister Bryan Green told parliament the carcasses of 103 short-finned pilot whales had been found on a remote stretch of the state's west coast.
"This type of event is always the cause of much sadness," Green said.
The whales had apparently been dead for some time and were found Monday by an abalone diver operating in the area, he said.
"I understand a similar event in New Zealand occurred only a week ago," Green said, referring to 12 giant sperm whales who washed up on beaches near Auckland.
Scientists have long puzzled over why whales, and particularly pilot whales, beach themselves in large groups.
Some experts suggest pilot whales are particularly susceptible to mass beachings because the live in herds and if one animal gets stranded, the others may simply follow or get caught trying to help the beached whale.