The behaviour of a large pod of nearly 100 long-finned pilot whales has baffled scientists. The whales were seen forming a heart shape before tragically stranding themselves on a remote beach in Western Australia (WA).&nbsp;

Drone footage captured this rare phenomenon as the whales tightly grouped together at Cheynes Beach, about 60&nbsp;km east of Albany before the tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

By the next morning, over 50 of the majestic creatures lay lifeless on the shore, leaving volunteers, government workers, and scientists scrambling to rescue the remaining 46.

<h2>"Unique" images</h2>

Reece Whitby, WA's environment minister, shared that researchers across Australia were baffled when they witnessed the unprecedented behaviour of the pod before the stranding. He called the images "unique" and said, "It is pretty incredible from a scientific basis in terms of learning about strandings."&nbsp;

Whitby said that the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions sought advice from other jurisdictions that had experienced similar events, but the consensus was "We have never seen this before."

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<h2>Rescue efforts</h2>

Efforts to save the stranded whales commenced with a rescue operation on Wednesday. Slings were deployed to drag the massive — about 1,000 kg and up to 4 metres long — animals back to the sea.&nbsp;

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Biochemical. Air. Water. Food supply intel:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> 51 whales dead after mass stranding on Cheynes Beach in Western Australia 
 
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A massive team of more than 70 volunteers and 90 government agency staff working in shifts supported the whales, many of whom were weak and struggling to stay afloat in shallow water.&nbsp;

However, the attempt to coax some of the pilot whales into deeper waters later in the day was unsuccessful, and they beached themselves once again, reports The Guardian.

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The animals were then dragged onto the sand, where they were carefully assessed by veterinarians from Perth Zoo and Albany, with animal welfare rather than rescue becoming the priority. Volunteers tirelessly poured buckets of water over the distressed whales in an attempt to alleviate their suffering.

<h2>Why did the whales choose mass stranding?</h2>

Murdoch University marine biologist Dr Joshua Smith speculates that since pilot whales share a tight-knit social network, it might explain why they stuck together during the incident.&nbsp;

As the rescue efforts continued, volunteers faced the bitter cold of the ocean, enduring temperatures that made their dedicated work even more remarkable.

Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist from Macquarie University, speculated that illness or disorientation might be responsible for the unusual incident.

"The fact they were in one area very huddled and doing really interesting behaviours and looking around at times suggests something else is going on that we just don’t know."

However, even as experts investigate the cause of the stranding, the whales' behaviour remains an enigma.&nbsp;

Mass strandings of whales are distressing events that puzzle scientists and spark concern for marine conservation. In previous incidents in Western Australia, more than 130 whales died in a mass stranding in 2018, and the largest such event occurred in 1996 when 320 long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves in Dunsborough.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The behaviour of a large pod of nearly 100 long-finned pilot whales has baffled scientists. The whales were seen forming a heart shape before tragically stranding themselves on a remote beach in Western Australia (WA).

The behaviour of a large pod of nearly 100 long-finned pilot whales has baffled scientists. The whales were seen forming a heart shape before tragically stranding themselves on a remote beach in Western Australia (WA). Drone footage captured this rare phenomenon as the whales tightly grouped together at Cheynes Beach, about 60 km east of Albany before the tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday evening. By the next morning, over 50 of the majestic creatures lay lifeless on the shore, leaving volunteers, government workers, and scientists scrambling to rescue the remaining 46. "Unique" images Reece Whitby, WA's environment minister, shared that researchers across Australia were baffled when they witnessed the unprecedented behaviour of the pod before the stranding. He called the images "unique" and said, "It is pretty incredible from a scientific basis in terms of learning about strandings." Whitby said that the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions sought advice from other jurisdictions that had experienced similar events, but the consensus was "We have never seen this before." Also read | Ultrafast air travel soon? NASA's supersonic X-59 and suborbital rockets lead the way Rescue efforts Efforts to save the stranded whales commenced with a rescue operation on Wednesday. Slings were deployed to drag the massive — about 1,000 kg and up to 4 metres long — animals back to the sea. #AUSTRALIAUNDERATTACK Biochemical. Air. Water. Food supply intel:#BREAKING 51 whales dead after mass stranding on Cheynes Beach in Western Australia If you don't believe our air, water and land are being poisoned. Then you are truly delusional. The cabal is targeting the… pic.twitter.com/LB0Ewuu3C3 — WayneTech SPFX®️ (@WayneTechSPFX) July 26, 2023 × A massive team of more than 70 volunteers and 90 government agency staff working in shifts supported the whales, many of whom were weak and struggling to stay afloat in shallow water. However, the attempt to coax some of the pilot whales into deeper waters later in the day was unsuccessful, and they beached themselves once again, reports The Guardian. Also read | Chaos in New York as construction crane catches fire, collapses partially; 6 injured. Watch! The animals were then dragged onto the sand, where they were carefully assessed by veterinarians from Perth Zoo and Albany, with animal welfare rather than rescue becoming the priority. Volunteers tirelessly poured buckets of water over the distressed whales in an attempt to alleviate their suffering. Why did the whales choose mass stranding? Murdoch University marine biologist Dr Joshua Smith speculates that since pilot whales share a tight-knit social network, it might explain why they stuck together during the incident. As the rescue efforts continued, volunteers faced the bitter cold of the ocean, enduring temperatures that made their dedicated work even more remarkable. Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist from Macquarie University, speculated that illness or disorientation might be responsible for the unusual incident. "The fact they were in one area very huddled and doing really interesting behaviours and looking around at times suggests something else is going on that we just don’t know." However, even as experts investigate the cause of the stranding, the whales' behaviour remains an enigma. Mass strandings of whales are distressing events that puzzle scientists and spark concern for marine conservation. In previous incidents in Western Australia, more than 130 whales died in a mass stranding in 2018, and the largest such event occurred in 1996 when 320 long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves in Dunsborough. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists baffled as pilot whales form a 'heart' before mass stranding in Australia

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done. Human activities have changed the shape and element of Earth, so to speak. The hazardous effect span from those to the biosphere as well as atmosphere. Global warming, Greenhouse gases are problems enough, but out footprint on the only planet we call home has endangered species of plants and animals.

A study has hinted that US Navy's Sonar use may be a factor behind increased beachings of whales in the Pacific. Beaching refers to the giant fish coming out of the water and getting stuck on beaches and losing lives in many instances. The effect of Sonar on whale beaching has been seen in Northern Marina Islands in western Pacific Ocean. These islands are surrounded by USA's Mariana Islands Training and Testing area (MITT).

In February last year, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography published a study in which they had examined effect of Sonar on whale beachings. The study noted beachings of at least 10 Cuvier's beaked whales that took place between 2006 and 2019. Many of them occurred within six days of Sonar use by US armed forces.

A hypothesis suggests that Sonar waves cause whales to surface too quickly. forming bubbles in their blood and organs.

US Navy spokesperson Lieutenant James Adams was quoted by the Guardian as saying that there was "insufficient evidence" to suggest that navy's use of the Sonar had caused more whale beachings. 
&nbsp;

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done.

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done. Human activities have changed the shape and element of Earth, so to speak. The hazardous effect span from those to the biosphere as well as atmosphere. Global warming, Greenhouse gases are problems enough, but out footprint on the only planet we call home has endangered species of plants and animals. A study has hinted that US Navy's Sonar use may be a factor behind increased beachings of whales in the Pacific. Beaching refers to the giant fish coming out of the water and getting stuck on beaches and losing lives in many instances. The effect of Sonar on whale beaching has been seen in Northern Marina Islands in western Pacific Ocean. These islands are surrounded by USA's Mariana Islands Training and Testing area (MITT). In February last year, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography published a study in which they had examined effect of Sonar on whale beachings. The study noted beachings of at least 10 Cuvier's beaked whales that took place between 2006 and 2019. Many of them occurred within six days of Sonar use by US armed forces. A hypothesis suggests that Sonar waves cause whales to surface too quickly. forming bubbles in their blood and organs. US Navy spokesperson Lieutenant James Adams was quoted by the Guardian as saying that there was "insufficient evidence" to suggest that navy's use of the Sonar had caused more whale beachings.

US Navy Sonar may be causing whale beachings in Pacific: Study

Australia rescues 25 whales in one of its worst beaching events

China&#39;s January exports easily exceeded analysts&#39; expectations, rising 7.9 per cent from a year earlier, while imports rose by 16.7 per cent, also topping forecasts, preliminary data showed on Friday.

That left the country with a trade surplus of $51.35 billion for the month, the General Administration of Customs said.

But China watchers caution that trends in January and February can be distorted by the long Lunar New Year holidays, with business slowing down weeks ahead of time and many firms scaling back operations or closing. The holiday fell on January 28 this year, 11 days earlier than last year.

Customs is due to release the final data for trade on February 23.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected January shipments from the world&#39;s largest exporter to have risen 3.3 per cent, after a dismal 2016 that saw exports slump 7.7 per cent as China lagged an export rebound enjoyed by some of its North Asian neighbours.

Imports had been forecast to rise 10.0 per cent, accelerating from 3.1 per cent growth in December.

Analysts were expecting China&#39;s trade surplus to have risen to $47.90 billion in January, versus December&#39;s $40.71 billion, with growing attention on its large trade surplus with the United States as new US&nbsp;President Donald Trump ramps up his protectionist rhetoric.

(Reuters)

About 150 people form human wall ?to prevent some 100 surviving whales from Friday's beaching from returning to the shore

China's January exports easily exceeded analysts' expectations, rising 7.9 per cent from a year earlier, while imports rose by 16.7 per cent, also topping forecasts, preliminary data showed on Friday. That left the country with a trade surplus of $51.35 billion for the month, the General Administration of Customs said. But China watchers caution that trends in January and February can be distorted by the long Lunar New Year holidays, with business slowing down weeks ahead of time and many firms scaling back operations or closing. The holiday fell on January 28 this year, 11 days earlier than last year. Customs is due to release the final data for trade on February 23. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected January shipments from the world's largest exporter to have risen 3.3 per cent, after a dismal 2016 that saw exports slump 7.7 per cent as China lagged an export rebound enjoyed by some of its North Asian neighbours. Imports had been forecast to rise 10.0 per cent, accelerating from 3.1 per cent growth in December. Analysts were expecting China's trade surplus to have risen to $47.90 billion in January, versus December's $40.71 billion, with growing attention on its large trade surplus with the United States as new US President Donald Trump ramps up his protectionist rhetoric. (Reuters)

New Zealand: Rescuers defy shark threat to keep 200 whales from shore in fresh stranding

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