Short answer: Whales beached Australia
Whale beachings or strandings are incidents where whales become stuck on shore and cannot return to the water. There have been numerous cases of whales being stranded in Australia with events occurring for different reasons such as natural causes, illness, weather conditions and navigational errors. The Australian government has a National Whale Stranding Plan in place to manage these incidents.
The Factors Contributing to Whales Being Beached in Australia – A Step by Step Analysis
Whale beachings have been a mystery for many years with theories ranging from climate change to sonar use by military vessels. Recently in Australia, the number of whales that have washed up on the shore has surged, with over 400 long-finned pilot whales stranded off Tasmania alone in September 2020.
So why are these majestic sea creatures ending up on our coasts? Let’s take a step-by-step approach to analyzing the factors contributing to whale beachings in Australia.
1. Natural Causes
The first factor worth considering is natural causes. Just like any other animal, whales can die unexpectedly due to various reasons such as injuries from predators or illnesses. Although it may seem logical that their bodies will then sink deep into the ocean depths, decomposition gasses can cause whale corpses to float towards shores and eventually wash ashore.
2. Human Interference
Human interference is another significant reason for most strandings which range mechanical disturbance from boats and collision with man-made objects such as fishing nets and plastic debris floating around oceans leading them off course thus resulting in stranding.
For example: In August 2020 an endangered humpback dolphin calves were found dead trapped within pollution-filled mangroves located near Indonesian industrial facilities this cases related not only through human waste disposal activities but also offshore work – underwater blasting used during oil industry projects significantly affect marine life.
3. Climate Change
Climate change, causing increased water temperature changes, rising sea levels, ocean acidification (which affects food sources & health) shifts feeding grounds and migration patterns could be one of thereasonsforwhales getting lost while migrating for mating season hence landing onshore insteadan end result which can occur after days or weeks spent disorientated at seas
4.Sonar Useby Military Vessels/Geological Surveys – Underwater Noise Pollution
Sonar technology operates by emitting sound waves under water which works via reflecting back sounds echoes detecting nearby objects to identify its location much like radar is used in air travel. These sound waves have a significant impact on marine mammals and can cause them disorientation, confusion which could lead them off their natural paths towards the shore.
Geological surveys is also another core factor of Underwater noise pollution.
5.Social Stranding
The aspect of social stranding among these species cannot be overlooked; whales usually move around together with large pods having natural ties between members making it hard for an individual to get back into the group when left outdue to several issues such as age or illness.When one whale beaches itself, others may follow suit due to their strong bonds hence leading many more beaching cases at once contributing astronomicallyin most occurring incidents within Australia and all over the world
6.Pollution
Lastly, environmental factors – An ever-increasing levelof waste disposal that finds its way through our oceans has led to massive levels of plastic bags floating offshore impactingmarine life.Affected wildlife consuming product daily resulting in anatomical problemsespeciallywhen they mistake plasticsfor food sources this ultimately reduces population ability
Whales Beached in Australia – Frequently Asked Questions
The news of beached whales in Australia has been making headlines recently, and understandably so. It’s not often that we hear about such large animals being stuck on land, unable to return to their natural habitat. The situation is complex with a range of questions surrounding it. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
What causes whales to beach themselves?
There isn’t a straightforward answer as there can be multiple factors at play including sickness, injury or disorientation due to human activities like underwater seismic testing and loud boat noises.
What happens when whales get stranded on the beach?
When whales become stranded on the beach they are usually already weak from illness or injury which makes them incapable of swimming back into deeper water even if waves come up high enough for them try. This means they can easily become sunburned as well as dehydrated while waiting for rescue teams.
Can humans help these whales make it safely back out into deeper waters?
Rescue efforts are made by trained volunteers who work alongside specialists attempting to float a whale off shallow sandbanks using specialized equipment like stretchers under the belly section or inflatable pontoons beneath their sides.
What is done with deceased beached whales?
Deceased beached found onshore have strict protocols around handling given how sensitive data and species conservation requirements need full consideration before any necessary post-mortem procedures commence.
How many cases of mass whale strandings occur every year?
It’s difficult to estimate but specific areas renowned globally for frequent occurrences include Farewell Spit Beach, New Zealand (upwards of 70 times) Floreat Beach Western Australia (at least six times since 1984).
What Can We Do to Prevent Whales from Being Beached in Australia?
Whale strandings are a common occurrence in Australia, with around 5-10 incidents reported each year. These events can be both devastating and mystifying to the general public, leaving many people wondering what they could do to prevent such occurrences from happening.
Despite years of research, scientists are not entirely certain why whales beach themselves. There are several theories as to why these creatures end up on our shores, including disorientation caused by noise pollution or illness that leaves them unable to swim properly.
However, while researchers may not have all the answers yet, there is plenty we can do to help prevent these events from occurring. Below are some steps that individuals and organizations alike can take:
1. Reduce ocean pollution
One way we can contribute is by reducing ocean pollution; plastics and other non-biodegradable materials pose great threats against marine life.Therefore helping keep beaches clean will go a long way toward preventing whale strandings due to ingestion of plastic or getting entangled.
2. Control Noise Pollution
Researches suggests that loud underwater noises disrupt migration patterns leading the whiskered creatures off-course,sometimes into shallow water.Manyboats use sonar capabilities which pollutes their natural habitat causing confusion ultimately resulting in unfortunate incidents.Mediating this easily reduces disruption from unnatural sources
3 .Increase Rescue Efforts
When stranding occurs,time plays a crucial role therefore quick action helps save incidences.It also contributes towards gaining valuable information for research purposes so rescue plans should always be kept at bay.A network for contacts dedicated only towards aiding during emergencystradedies aids fast response rates
4.Education
It’s importantto know how one must act when coming across strandedmarine creatures hence educating ourselves teacheshow best supportive roles surfaceand who you should alertinemergency situations so keeping yourself informed comes with it’s own benefits
The above measures highlight possible ways you can personally aid efforts aimed mitigtinged against beaching.This clearlyunderlines even small contributions towardspreserving healthof our phenomenal marine creatures ultimately go miles into research and safety for the whales.
