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Cetaceans: masters of the ocean or out of their depth?

Every year thousands of whales, dolphins and porpoises are stranded on beaches all over the world. The cause of each stranding event is often a mystery but recent research is shedding some light on the issue. Marine conservationist Katie Hunter explains

In November 2018, two hikers trekking in the remote backcountry of Stewart Island, New Zealand, stumbled upon a sight they will never forget. Stretched out in front of them along the sandy shore of Mason Bay were over 100 stranded pilot whales, many of which were still alive and thrashing around in the surf. With the pod trapped in such a remote location, there was little the hikers could do except notify the authorities and wait for help. It would have taken at least 1000 people to re-float the 145 pilot whales, so the decision was made to euthanise the pod and end their suffering.

Mass stranding events, like the example in New Zealand, occur all over the world and with surprising frequency. They typically occur in groups of toothed whales (Odontoceti), such as pilot whales or sperm whales, with a few thousand cetaceans beaching themselves each year. The cause of each event often remains unknown but can be a combination of age, sickness, injury, navigational errors and strong social bonds.

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