Over 100 whales saved from stranding in Sri Lanka

Posted on 4 November 2020

Over 100 short-finned pilot whales were rescued from stranding on a beach in Sri Lanka. The stranding occurred near Panadura on November 2.

The navy, environmental officers, residents and the police worked together to refloat the animals, according to the BBC.

Locals broke curfew to assist in getting the mammals into deeper water. Speaking to AFP, marine biologist Dr Asha De Vos said: ‘The people around here got together and saved most of them.’

Sadly not all of the animals were rescued and a number of them perished.

‘But some of the whales were very tired fighting to stay afloat the whole night and didn’t have enough strength to go to deep sea. That is why a few died,’ De Vos added.

‘On Monday evening (2nd November), around 100 whales were reported beaching on the Panadura Beach. Responding promptly to the situation the Navy partnered with Sri Lanka Coast Guard lifesaving teams, Police lifesavers, volunteer lifeguards and residents to get this special operation underway.

‘The mission was augmented by 30 naval personnel, an Inshore Patrol Craft, a group of 30 Coast Guard personnel, lifesaving boat, 06 naval personnel attached to the Rapid Response Relief and Rescue Unit, Kalutara along with 02 lifesaving boats,’ said the Sri Lankan Navy in a statement.

Pilot whales are notorious for beaching. If a member of the pod is sick or in distress, it will call the other members to follow it to the beach, causing a mass stranding.

Picture: Twitter/ Muzamil @promuzi






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