52 whales die in mass stranding in Australia

[CaptainObvious]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jXWviWbzJOQYvZIkwl-qmSP5Q1kA

Fifty-two pilot whales have died after a mass stranding on Tasmania's northwest coast, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Saturday.

Thirteen whales were still alive on Anthony's Beach at Stanley on the island south of the Australian mainland, and wildlife rangers and volunteers were trying to stabilise them, the broadcaster said.

"People are moving water around them, people are stopping them from drying and stopping them from getting sunburnt because their biggest problem is they get overheated," said Parks and Wildlife official Chris Arthur.

"Then we're going to try and move some if we can on to trailers so we can move them in to deeper water."

Pilot whales are members of the dolphin family but are considered by experts to behave more like whales.

A number of theories have been put forward as to why whales strand themselves, but the phenomenon remains a subject of scientific debate.

[PearliePoo2]

1. This is so awful....

We may never know why they beach themselves. Is it sonar/noise pollution? Is it lack of food?
What is it that they are trying to escape from? What is it?
It makes me sick to think about these gentle giants dying on a beach.

[navarth]

2. somebody prove to me that humans aren't to blame directly or indirectly

because that's exactly what I'm thinking.

I'm also thinking that our species will get what it deserves. And that chills me.