Though marine mammal strandings are common in the rich waters of Indonesia, the pilot whale mass stranding in February was an especially sad one. The entire pot of 52 stranded short-finned pilot whales had died despite elaborate rescue efforts.
Now, necropsies on 32 of the whales have shed light on the cause of stranding. The alpha female, recognized by her large size, was found with inflammation in her echolocation organ. Researchers assume that disoriented her and led her too close to the shore. As very social animals, the rest of the group followed her into the shallow water. “Because the leader of the colony was weak, all the members were weak.” Hunger and lung damage, as well as exhaustion then resulted in the death of the entire group.
This investigation was the largest done on Indonesian strandings so far. Marine mammal groups and researchers are now pushing for more thorough examinations on similar cases in the future. Only this way causes of death can be distinguished and conservation needs be assessed and planned effectively.
The full article can be found here: Hunger, disorientation blamed for pilot whale mass stranding in Indonesia (mongabay.com)