More than 200 whales stranded themselves at the southern end of King Island. (User contributed: Damian McIntyre )
Ahoy friends,
Very sad news today. Over 194 pilot whales and 6 bottlenose dolphins were stranded on Naracoopa Beach on King Island - an island located in the Bass Strait between the Australian continent and Tasmania.
It has been reported that 141 whales and 1 dolphin have died.
Apparently is is not uncommon that whales become stranded while migrating to Antarctic waters, but this is the fourth time in recent months that large pods of whales have beached on Tasmanian shores. Marine scientists find this troubling news, and very unusual to find dolphins and whales stranded together. Could sounds produced by humans at sea interfere with whales’ and dolphins’ echo-location? This is just one theory that marine biologists are still trying to figure out.
Hats off to those incredible hard working volunteers that have put so much heartfelt effort into keeping 54 whales and 5 dolphins alive.
3 comments Click to reply »
March 2nd, 2009
Hey Marcella!
This is really sad news. I hope the wales/dolphins that are still alive will make it back into the ocean.
However, great news is that you made it into the Top 50. I didn’t
Wish you all the best.
Keep up your work!
March 3rd, 2009
Jeffrey told me about your entry and I’ve been following your blogposts and progress - I think yours is one of the best (if not THE best) entries and I’ve been looking at a lot of them! I’m so pleased that you’re also bringing “news” news to your site, too. It’s very sad that these beautiful creatures are beaching - most likely because of man-made sonar disturbances.
Thanks, Marcella and the very best of Canuck luck!!!
P.S. Tim-Tams are absolutely divine and you can get them at a lot of local Extra Foods/Save On Foods stores, but Bovril beats Vegemite any day. :o)
March 6th, 2009
Aahhhhhhh, sheesh. that’s really sad.
anyway,.. your presentation is nice. I like.