In keeping with the annual, 'barbaric' tradition of killing dolphins, nearly 1500 of these mammals were killed in Faroe Island in Denmark. The images and videos from the event held over the weekend depicted water and shoreline becoming red with the blood of dead dolphins. The hunt has sparked outrage and drawn sharp reactions from animal rights activists.

1,400 dolphins slaughtered in a day in Faroe islands of Denmark

<p>In keeping with the annual, 'barbaric' tradition of killing dolphins, nearly 1500 of these mammals were killed in Faroe Island in Denmark. The images and videos from the event held over the weekend depicted water and shoreline becoming red with blood of dead dolphins. The hunt has sparked outrage and drawn sharp reaction from animal rights activists</p>

<p>The hunt is called Grindadrap.dolphins are herded by motorboats towards the shore. They are then killed by the whalers on the shores using harpoons and even power drills. Grindadrap is considered to be an example of traditional 'aboriginal whaling'</p>

<p>As per local media reports, 1428 dolphins were killed during the hunt over the weekend. Tweets showing horrific photos and videos of the hunt did rounds.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/MettePrime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MettePrime</a> It is time for DENMARK to stop the bloody slaughter in the Faroe Islands! Yesterday over 1,400 dolphins were slaughtered! TIME FOR YOU TO ACT! <a href="https://t.co/yGlvPvbrX5">pic.twitter.com/yGlvPvbrX5</a></p>
— peter baldwin (@petethepunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/petethepunk/status/1437390143254671373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last night 1428 white side dolphins were slaughtered on the Faroe Islands what utter cruel barbaric bastards (photo courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/seashepherd_uk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seashepherd_uk</a> ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacGoldsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZacGoldsmith</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/peterjameshall_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peterjameshall_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/whalesorg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@whalesorg</a> <a href="https://t.co/K442OCxaQO">pic.twitter.com/K442OCxaQO</a></p>
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) <a href="https://twitter.com/domdyer70/status/1437439122210271234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Animal rights activists are up in arms over the practice. Blue Planet Society urged Danish authorities as well as the EU to stop the annual hunt</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A massacre.<br />
<br />
An estimated ONE THOUSAND white-sided dolphins cruelly slaughtered in the Faroe Islands last night.<br />
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Read more here <a href="https://t.co/yc2Gkx3am3">https://t.co/yc2Gkx3am3</a><br />
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📷 Palli Asbjornsson Justesen <a href="https://t.co/J7UvTVY2bi">pic.twitter.com/J7UvTVY2bi</a></p>
— Blue Planet Society (@Seasaver) <a href="https://twitter.com/Seasaver/status/1437320283627610113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In keeping with the annual, 'barbaric' tradition of killing dolphins, nearly 1500 of these mammals were killed in Faroe Island in Denmark. The images and videos from the event held over the weekend depicted water and shoreline becoming red with blood of dead dolphins.

In keeping with the annual, 'barbaric' tradition of killing dolphins, nearly 1500 of these mammals were killed in Faroe Island in Denmark. The images and videos from the event held over the weekend depicted water and shoreline becoming red with blood of dead dolphins. The hunt has sparked outrage and drawn sharp reaction from animal rights activists The hunt is called Grindadrap.dolphins are herded by motorboats towards the shore. They are then killed by the whalers on the shores using harpoons and even power drills. Grindadrap is considered to be an example of traditional 'aboriginal whaling' As per local media reports, 1428 dolphins were killed during the hunt over the weekend. Tweets showing horrific photos and videos of the hunt did rounds. @MettePrime It is time for DENMARK to stop the bloody slaughter in the Faroe Islands! Yesterday over 1,400 dolphins were slaughtered! TIME FOR YOU TO ACT! pic.twitter.com/yGlvPvbrX5 — peter baldwin (@petethepunk) September 13, 2021 × Last night 1428 white side dolphins were slaughtered on the Faroe Islands what utter cruel barbaric bastards (photo courtesy of @seashepherd_uk ) @ZacGoldsmith @peterjameshall_ @whalesorg pic.twitter.com/K442OCxaQO — dominic dyer (@domdyer70) September 13, 2021 × Animal rights activists are up in arms over the practice. Blue Planet Society urged Danish authorities as well as the EU to stop the annual hunt A massacre. An estimated ONE THOUSAND white-sided dolphins cruelly slaughtered in the Faroe Islands last night. Read more here https://t.co/yc2Gkx3am3 📷 Palli Asbjornsson Justesen pic.twitter.com/J7UvTVY2bi — Blue Planet Society (@Seasaver) September 13, 2021 ×

Slaughter of 1500 dolphins in Denmark sparks outrage

Every year millions and millions of sardines trek along the cold currents off the South Africa coast during the southern hemisphere winter months, peaking in July. Countless dolphins and sharks hunt along the shoals - a spectacular sight that awes tourists lucky enough to find them.

Indian Ocean ballet: South Africa's breathtaking 'sardine run'

<p>New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maui dolphins live in a small stretch of ocean off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and current estimates suggest that only 63 dolphins older than one year remain, raising concerns that they may soon become extinct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new Maui Drone Project is a one-year collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), non-profit wildlife technology organisation MAUI63 and WWF-New Zealand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of finding and tracking Maui dolphins using artificial intelligence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The technology has the potential to compile detailed data on the habitats, population size and distribution and behaviour of the dolphins, along with many other types of marine species, such as other dolphins, seabirds, and whales, officials said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There has been unfortunately for many years disputes over how to best protect Maui dolphins," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after announcing the initiative, adding that the government has stepped in to fund the project and help protect the dolphins. "But we need everyone to come together."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fishing companies Moana New Zealand and Sanford Limited are also supporting the project. The government has already moved to restrict fishing around the areas Maui dolphins frequent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“By advancing our understanding of how Maui dolphins behave during the day and throughout the year this project will help us ensure the measures our Government has already put in place to protect our Maui dolphins are robust and appropriate,” said Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The drone ensures dolphins remain undisturbed as they fly at an altitude of over 120 metres (394 feet).&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With agency inputs)&nbsp;</p>


New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country.

New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country. Maui dolphins live in a small stretch of ocean off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and current estimates suggest that only 63 dolphins older than one year remain, raising concerns that they may soon become extinct. The new Maui Drone Project is a one-year collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), non-profit wildlife technology organisation MAUI63 and WWF-New Zealand. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of finding and tracking Maui dolphins using artificial intelligence. The technology has the potential to compile detailed data on the habitats, population size and distribution and behaviour of the dolphins, along with many other types of marine species, such as other dolphins, seabirds, and whales, officials said. "There has been unfortunately for many years disputes over how to best protect Maui dolphins," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after announcing the initiative, adding that the government has stepped in to fund the project and help protect the dolphins. "But we need everyone to come together." Fishing companies Moana New Zealand and Sanford Limited are also supporting the project. The government has already moved to restrict fishing around the areas Maui dolphins frequent. “By advancing our understanding of how Maui dolphins behave during the day and throughout the year this project will help us ensure the measures our Government has already put in place to protect our Maui dolphins are robust and appropriate,” said Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. The drone ensures dolphins remain undisturbed as they fly at an altitude of over 120 metres (394 feet). (With agency inputs)

New Zealand backs drone project to protect endangered dolphins 

An estimated 2,000 common dolphins were spotted 'stampeding' off the southern California coast on Monday (February 22), according to a whale watching group.

Thousands of dolphins 'stampede' off southern California coast

Vendée Globe Sailing Race is currently underway and on Friday few of the sailors had the company of the school of Dolphins alongside boats in the South Pacific.

Vendée Globe Race: School of Dolphins keep solo sailors company

Vendée Globe Race: Dolphins swim alongside boats in the South Pacific

Coronavirus travel restrictions have literally emptied waters around Hong Kong of boats and ferries and due to the quiet, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are making a comeback, giving scientists a once in a lifetime opportunity to study the impact of underwater noise on the aquatic mammals.

Rare dolphins make a comeback in quieter Hong Kong waters

Dead dolphins that washed up in Mauritius near the site of an oil spill have so far been found to have wounds on their bodies but no trace of oil.

Video: Autopsy finds wounds but no oil on dolphins washed up near Mauritius spill

Thousands of people protested in the capital of Mauritius over the government’s handling of an oil spill from a grounded Japanese ship and the alarming discovery of dozens of dead dolphins in recent days.

Protest in Mauritius over oil spill & dead dolphins, protesters demands PM's resignation

<p>As nearly 40 dead dolphins washed up on the shore after the tragic and massive oil spill in Mauritius, locals are demanding a detailed investigation of the same.</p>

<p>The dolphins that washed up in Maritius were, presumably, negatively affected by the toxic oil spill caused by a crack in the Japanes ship in the ocean.</p>

<p>Locals are now protestung against the unintentional deaths of dolphins and are demanding thorough investigation of the same. Several environmentalists are demanding a detailed investigation of whether or not the death of dolphins is related to the oil spill.</p>

<p>However, as per preliminary investigations, experts have revealed that the dead dolphins had&nbsp;wounds on their bodies but no trace of oil.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-40-dolphins-die-in-area-hit-by-mauritius-oil-spill-323756"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;At least 40 dolphins die in area hit by Mauritius oil spill</strong></a></p>

<p>"The preliminary results show that the animals did not have trace of hydrocarbon in their respiratory system, nor in their skin, throat or stomach," the report said.</p>

<p>However, the locals are not satisfied with the initial reports.&nbsp;"We do not trust the government and the diluted information they`ve been feeding us regarding the management and responses to the oil spill," Fabiola Monty, 33 a Mauritian environmental scientist</p>

<p>Protestors held banners that showed dolphins covered in oil with slogan of "all lives matter". Several participants of the protest also asked the government to resign over such a deadly mistake.&nbsp;Mauritian flags were also waved across the packed square of St Louis Cathedral.</p>

<p>So far, two dolphins' bodies have been investigated, and the results for next 20-25 dolphins is expected in a few days.&nbsp;The autopsy on the first two was conducted by the government-run Albion Fisheries Research Centre.</p>

<p>The government has assured the locals that an autopsy will be performed on all the dead dolphins, and not some.</p>

<p>Local environmental group Eco-Sud, which took part in Saturday`s protest, said in a statement on Friday that representatives from civil society should be present during the autopsies and called for a second opinion from independent specialists.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the government has started two different investigations. First is by the local police which will be looking into the crew's responsibility and role into this environmental tragedy, and the second will be by a senior Shipping Ministry official to study the whole incident that happened during the hit.</p>


As nearly 40 dead dolphins washed up on the shore after the tragic and massive oil spill in Mauritius, locals are demanding a detailed investigation of the same.

As nearly 40 dead dolphins washed up on the shore after the tragic and massive oil spill in Mauritius, locals are demanding a detailed investigation of the same. The dolphins that washed up in Maritius were, presumably, negatively affected by the toxic oil spill caused by a crack in the Japanes ship in the ocean. Locals are now protestung against the unintentional deaths of dolphins and are demanding thorough investigation of the same. Several environmentalists are demanding a detailed investigation of whether or not the death of dolphins is related to the oil spill. However, as per preliminary investigations, experts have revealed that the dead dolphins had wounds on their bodies but no trace of oil. Also read: At least 40 dolphins die in area hit by Mauritius oil spill "The preliminary results show that the animals did not have trace of hydrocarbon in their respiratory system, nor in their skin, throat or stomach," the report said. However, the locals are not satisfied with the initial reports. "We do not trust the government and the diluted information they`ve been feeding us regarding the management and responses to the oil spill," Fabiola Monty, 33 a Mauritian environmental scientist Protestors held banners that showed dolphins covered in oil with slogan of "all lives matter". Several participants of the protest also asked the government to resign over such a deadly mistake. Mauritian flags were also waved across the packed square of St Louis Cathedral. So far, two dolphins' bodies have been investigated, and the results for next 20-25 dolphins is expected in a few days. The autopsy on the first two was conducted by the government-run Albion Fisheries Research Centre. The government has assured the locals that an autopsy will be performed on all the dead dolphins, and not some. Local environmental group Eco-Sud, which took part in Saturday`s protest, said in a statement on Friday that representatives from civil society should be present during the autopsies and called for a second opinion from independent specialists. Meanwhile, the government has started two different investigations. First is by the local police which will be looking into the crew's responsibility and role into this environmental tragedy, and the second will be by a senior Shipping Ministry official to study the whole incident that happened during the hit.

Thousands take to streets to protest over dead dolphins in Mauritius

<p>At least 40 dolphins have mysteriously died in an area of Mauritius affected by an oil spill from a Japanese boat, officials and witnesses said on Friday, as a witness described the moment one mother dolphin died in front of him.</p>

<p>Residents who had ventured out in a boat alerted Reuben Pillay to a mother dolphin swimming around her dying baby. He sped off to try to find them; the baby had died by the time he arrived, he said, but the mother initially looked normal.</p>

<p>"But in a few minutes she went on her side, one fin in the water, and one out of the water and then she started flapping her tail really really rapidly," said Pillay, a professional drone operator and environmentalist who is providing video to Reuters.</p>

<p>"She swam in circles in front of the boat, she moved her tail very violently and after about five minutes she just stopped moving, and she sunk ... We heard cries, I thought it was a woman on the boat - but they told me, no - it was the dolphin."</p>

<p>As they watched, the mother stopped moving and eventually slowly sank, tail first, beneath the waves. The body of the baby floated on the surface.</p>

<p>"We didn't know what to do. It was heartwrenching," he said.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Jasvin Sok Appadu from the Mauritius fisheries ministry told Reuters that 38 carcasses had washed up on the beaches so far.</p>

<p>Autopsy results on 25 dolphins that washed ashore Wednesday and Thursday are expected in the coming days, he said.</p>

<p>So far veterinarians have examined only two of the dolphins, which bore signs of injury but no trace of hydrocarbons in their bodies, according to preliminary autopsy results. The autopsy on the first two was conducted by the government-run Albion Fisheries Research Centre.</p>

<p>The dolphins have been dying in an area affected by an oil spill caused when a Japanese ship, the MV Wakashio, struck a coral reef last month. The ship was scuttled on Monday.</p>

<p>On Thursday, Greenpeace called on the government of Mauritius to launch an "urgent investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and any ties to the Wakashio oil spill".</p>


At least 40 dolphins have mysteriously died in an area of Mauritius affected by an oil spill from a Japanese boat, officials and witnesses said on Friday, as a witness described the moment one mother dolphin died in front of him.

At least 40 dolphins have mysteriously died in an area of Mauritius affected by an oil spill from a Japanese boat, officials and witnesses said on Friday, as a witness described the moment one mother dolphin died in front of him. Residents who had ventured out in a boat alerted Reuben Pillay to a mother dolphin swimming around her dying baby. He sped off to try to find them; the baby had died by the time he arrived, he said, but the mother initially looked normal. "But in a few minutes she went on her side, one fin in the water, and one out of the water and then she started flapping her tail really really rapidly," said Pillay, a professional drone operator and environmentalist who is providing video to Reuters. "She swam in circles in front of the boat, she moved her tail very violently and after about five minutes she just stopped moving, and she sunk ... We heard cries, I thought it was a woman on the boat - but they told me, no - it was the dolphin." As they watched, the mother stopped moving and eventually slowly sank, tail first, beneath the waves. The body of the baby floated on the surface. "We didn't know what to do. It was heartwrenching," he said. Earlier in the day, Jasvin Sok Appadu from the Mauritius fisheries ministry told Reuters that 38 carcasses had washed up on the beaches so far. Autopsy results on 25 dolphins that washed ashore Wednesday and Thursday are expected in the coming days, he said. So far veterinarians have examined only two of the dolphins, which bore signs of injury but no trace of hydrocarbons in their bodies, according to preliminary autopsy results. The autopsy on the first two was conducted by the government-run Albion Fisheries Research Centre. The dolphins have been dying in an area affected by an oil spill caused when a Japanese ship, the MV Wakashio, struck a coral reef last month. The ship was scuttled on Monday. On Thursday, Greenpeace called on the government of Mauritius to launch an "urgent investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and any ties to the Wakashio oil spill".

At least 40 dolphins die in area hit by Mauritius oil spill

<p>Namibia said on Monday that 86 dusky dolphins, including two calves just days old, had been found dead on a remote beach and it had launched an investigation into what happened.</p>

<p>Marine biologist Kolette Grobler estimated that the mammals had been dead for about a week before they were found on Friday by commercial lobster fishermen at Hottentot Bay, some 40 km (25 miles) north of the southwestern coastal town of Luderitz.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-wildlife-day-alarming-figures-of-species-nearing-extinction-283899#amphibians-283882"><span>World Wildlife Day: Alarming figures of species nearing extinction</span></a></strong></p>

<p>"We suspect that one of them was injured or got sick and called on the others for help, and this might have caused them to accidentally beach themselves," Grobler said.</p>

<p>"We, unfortunately, could not take samples due to the decomposition, but we took water samples to determine if the dolphins ate toxic plankton."</p>

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<p>The ministry of fisheries and marine resources said it would investigate the cause of the dolphin's death.</p>

<p>The dusky dolphin, known for its aerial acrobatic skills, is found off South America, southern Australia and New Zealand as well as southwestern Africa.</p>

<p>As well as the dusky dolphin, Namibian waters are also home to the bottlenose dolphin and the Heaviside's dolphin.</p>


Namibia said on Monday that 86 dusky dolphins, including two calves just days old, had been found dead on a remote beach and it had launched an investigation into what happened.

Namibia said on Monday that 86 dusky dolphins, including two calves just days old, had been found dead on a remote beach and it had launched an investigation into what happened. Marine biologist Kolette Grobler estimated that the mammals had been dead for about a week before they were found on Friday by commercial lobster fishermen at Hottentot Bay, some 40 km (25 miles) north of the southwestern coastal town of Luderitz. Also read: World Wildlife Day: Alarming figures of species nearing extinction "We suspect that one of them was injured or got sick and called on the others for help, and this might have caused them to accidentally beach themselves," Grobler said. "We, unfortunately, could not take samples due to the decomposition, but we took water samples to determine if the dolphins ate toxic plankton." Also see: True colours of ancient Greek and Roman statues The ministry of fisheries and marine resources said it would investigate the cause of the dolphin's death. The dusky dolphin, known for its aerial acrobatic skills, is found off South America, southern Australia and New Zealand as well as southwestern Africa. As well as the dusky dolphin, Namibian waters are also home to the bottlenose dolphin and the Heaviside's dolphin.

Eighty-six dolphins found dead on remote Namibian beach, probe launched

<p>A reward of up to $20,000 has been offered by the US oceanic department after a&nbsp;dead dolphin<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sharp-rise-in-whale-dolphin-stranding-deaths-in-india-91"> was discovered</a> off Naples, Florida late last week.&nbsp;Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that the animal had suffered grievous wounds from what could be a sharp object or a bullet.</p>

<p>Another dolphin was recovered within the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-dolphin-carcass-found-washed-ashore-in-kerala--131644">same week</a> along Pensacola Beach, Florida by emerald coast wildlife refuge experts who stated that the creature had a bullet lodged in its left side.</p>

<p>Experts have reason to believe that the deaths are related to humans who are feeding wild dolphins. It&nbsp;makes dolphins associate people and boats with food, which exposes them to dangerous situations. Officials have repeatedly urged people to avoid feeding wild dolphins.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-single-use-plastic-is-killing-the-earth-248688">How single-use plastic is killing the Earth</a></p>

<p>The number of <a href="carcass ">dolphins who were stranded</a> with evidence of wounds inflicted by gunshots, arrows and fishing spears in some cases, has been on the rise since 2002. A dolphin was found dead with a fatal puncture wound to its head in May 2019 off Captiva Island. Law enforcement officials are still investigating the murder.</p>

<p>A reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to the person responsible for these crimes has been being offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).</p>


A reward of up to $20,000 has been offered by the US oceanic department after a dead dolphin was discovered off Naples, Florida late last week. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that the animal had suffered grievous wounds from what could be a sharp object or a bullet.

A reward of up to $20,000 has been offered by the US oceanic department after a dead dolphin was discovered off Naples, Florida late last week. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that the animal had suffered grievous wounds from what could be a sharp object or a bullet. Another dolphin was recovered within the same week along Pensacola Beach, Florida by emerald coast wildlife refuge experts who stated that the creature had a bullet lodged in its left side. Experts have reason to believe that the deaths are related to humans who are feeding wild dolphins. It makes dolphins associate people and boats with food, which exposes them to dangerous situations. Officials have repeatedly urged people to avoid feeding wild dolphins. Also Read: How single-use plastic is killing the Earth The number of dolphins who were stranded with evidence of wounds inflicted by gunshots, arrows and fishing spears in some cases, has been on the rise since 2002. A dolphin was found dead with a fatal puncture wound to its head in May 2019 off Captiva Island. Law enforcement officials are still investigating the murder. A reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to the person responsible for these crimes has been being offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).

US department offers $20,000 reward for information on dolphins found stabbed in Florida

Cats, dolphins and one smart raven: CIA's secret animal spies

Japan Kicks Off Taiji Cove Hunt Despite International Condemnation

Gravitas: Japan is hunting Dolphins again

While reading about Stand up paddle boarding, and the serene experience of paddling with dolphins on calm morning waters not long after sunrise, it is easy to start dreaming... And that is exactly what bold adventurers do best, Kaat Vanderstappen, our teacher if you will, quickly burst our bubbles and realized we were no match for her. Reaching the shore, alive but if barely, Johan decides to make amends to his self-esteem by meeting an old friend from his Yogi days...

WION Traveller S2 Episode 22 – Stand up Guys in Goa

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-student-opens-fire-in-florida-school-at-least-17-killed-32906">Ex-student opens fire in Florida school, at least 17 killed</a></p>

<p>A 19-year-old former student opened fire at a Florida school killing at least 17 people terrifying students before he was arrested by police. The gunman was identified as Nikolaus Cruz, an ex-student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Cruz was earlier expelled from school due to &quot;disciplinary reasons.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-india-china-battle-in-bangladesh-stock-exchange-32913">Now, India, China battle in Bangladesh stock exchange</a></p>

<p>India and China put up bids in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) as the struggle for supremacy in South Asia took a new turn in the Bangladesh stock exchange. The bids immediately became the centre of controversy as India&#39;s National Stock Exchange had offered 15 taka ($0.18) per share for a 25 per cent stake and China&#39;s Shanghai and Shenzen stock exchanges made a joint higher bid of 22 taka ($0.26) per share, or $122 million.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/oru-adaar-love-director-refuses-to-withdraw-song-from-film-32914">&#39;Oru </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/oru-adaar-love-director-refuses-to-withdraw-song-from-film-32914">Adaar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/oru-adaar-love-director-refuses-to-withdraw-song-from-film-32914"> Love&#39; director refuses to withdraw song from film</a></p>

<p>The director of the Malayalam film &quot;Oru Adaar Love&quot; Omar Lulu and its music director Shan Rehman said on Wednesday that the song &quot;Manikya Malaraya poovi&quot; would not be withdrawn for the time being. The statement, made at a late night press conference by Omar Lulu and Shan Rehman on Wednesday, comes after a police complaint against the director stating that the lyrics of the song hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/54-dolphins-found-stranded-on-mexican-beach-32908">21 dolphins dead, several washed up on Mexico beach</a></p>

<p>Mexican authorities have informed that dozens of dolphins were found stranded on a rocky beach along the coast of Baja California Sur State on Tuesday. At least 21 dolphins were found dead out of the 54 that had washed up on the beach in northern Mexico, federal environmental protection agency said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/zuma-resigns-as-president-of-south-africa-32912">Zuma resigns as President of South Africa</a></p>

<p>Jacob Zuma resigned as President of South Africa on Wednesday under pressure from his own party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), to quit. The resignation brought an end to his nine years in power which were plagued by charges of graft and economic slowdown.</p>


Ex-student opens fire in Florida school, at least 17 killed A 19-year-old former student opened fire at a Florida school killing at least 17 people terrifying students before he was arrested by police. The gunman was identified as Nikolaus Cruz, an ex-student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Cruz was earlier expelled from school due to "disciplinary reasons." Now, India, China battle in Bangladesh stock exchange India and China put up bids in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) as the struggle for supremacy in South Asia took a new turn in the Bangladesh stock exchange. The bids immediately became the centre of controversy as India's National Stock Exchange had offered 15 taka ($0.18) per share for a 25 per cent stake and China's Shanghai and Shenzen stock exchanges made a joint higher bid of 22 taka ($0.26) per share, or $122 million. 'Oru Adaar Love' director refuses to withdraw song from film The director of the Malayalam film "Oru Adaar Love" Omar Lulu and its music director Shan Rehman said on Wednesday that the song "Manikya Malaraya poovi" would not be withdrawn for the time being. The statement, made at a late night press conference by Omar Lulu and Shan Rehman on Wednesday, comes after a police complaint against the director stating that the lyrics of the song hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. 21 dolphins dead, several washed up on Mexico beach Mexican authorities have informed that dozens of dolphins were found stranded on a rocky beach along the coast of Baja California Sur State on Tuesday. At least 21 dolphins were found dead out of the 54 that had washed up on the beach in northern Mexico, federal environmental protection agency said. Zuma resigns as President of South Africa Jacob Zuma resigned as President of South Africa on Wednesday under pressure from his own party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), to quit. The resignation brought an end to his nine years in power which were plagued by charges of graft and economic slowdown.

WION Morning News Brief, February 15, 2018

<p>Mexican authorities have informed that dozens of dolphins were found stranded on a rocky beach along the coast of Baja California Sur State on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least 21 dolphins were found dead out of the 54 that had washed up on the beach in northern Mexico, federal environmental protection agency said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Workers attended to the dolphins and saved 33 of the short-beaked common dolphins, the Mexican environmental protection authority, Profepa, said in a statement.</p>

<p>The dolphins had bite marks that appeared to indicate they had been attacked by bottlenose dolphins, rescuers said.</p>

<p>An autopsy will be carried out on two of the animals for further analysis. Experts said it was the largest dolphin beaching incident seen in the state in recent years.</p>

<p>Photos released by the agency show dozens of dolphins washed up on the rocks and lined up in the sand, overseen by white-coated personnel.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Atiende <a href="https://twitter.com/PROFEPA_Mx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PROFEPA_Mx</a> varamientos de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/delfines?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#delfines</a> en La Paz, Baja California Sur<a href="https://t.co/yQKPOQjiJC">https://t.co/yQKPOQjiJC</a> <a href="https://t.co/77Pgwwznjr">pic.twitter.com/77Pgwwznjr</a></p>
&mdash; PROFEPA (@PROFEPA_Mx) <a href="https://twitter.com/PROFEPA_Mx/status/963590821953130496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Despite their cute and friendly reputation, some dolphins, including the bottlenose, are known to attack and even kill other dolphins.</p>


At least 21 dolphins were found dead out of the 54 that had washed up on the beach in northern Mexico, federal environmental protection agency said

Mexican authorities have informed that dozens of dolphins were found stranded on a rocky beach along the coast of Baja California Sur State on Tuesday. At least 21 dolphins were found dead out of the 54 that had washed up on the beach in northern Mexico, federal environmental protection agency said. Workers attended to the dolphins and saved 33 of the short-beaked common dolphins, the Mexican environmental protection authority, Profepa, said in a statement. The dolphins had bite marks that appeared to indicate they had been attacked by bottlenose dolphins, rescuers said. An autopsy will be carried out on two of the animals for further analysis. Experts said it was the largest dolphin beaching incident seen in the state in recent years. Photos released by the agency show dozens of dolphins washed up on the rocks and lined up in the sand, overseen by white-coated personnel. Atiende @PROFEPA_Mx varamientos de #delfines en La Paz, Baja California Surhttps://t.co/yQKPOQjiJC pic.twitter.com/77Pgwwznjr — PROFEPA (@PROFEPA_Mx) February 14, 2018 × Despite their cute and friendly reputation, some dolphins, including the bottlenose, are known to attack and even kill other dolphins.

21 dolphins dead, several washed up on Mexico beach

Carcasses of dolphins are washing up on Bulgaria&#39;s Black Sea beaches at a higher than normal rate, with a record 108 dead animals discovered this year, local authorities said on Thursday.<br />
<br />
The cause of the deaths has yet to be determined, said enviroment minister Ivelina Vasileva, after collecting information by regional centres, adding that 77 of the dead dolphins were found in the southern part of the country&#39;s Black Sea coast.<br />
<br />
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov today called for a special meeting with conservation organisations to try to find a solution to the record number of deaths. He said on his official Facebook page that steps are being taken to ban fishing in areas populated by the protected species.<br />
<br />
The number of dead dolphins in 2016 is significantly higher than the 56 found last year and the previous record of 74 in 2012.&nbsp;Media reports of dead dolphins on Bulgarian beaches have been rife in recent years. In spite of repeated allegations, often with finger-pointing at fishermen, the cause has yet to be established conclusively.<br />
<br />
There are three species of dolphins in the Black Sea off Bulgaria: the short-beaked common dolphin, the harbour porpoise and the common bottlenose dolphin. The dolphin population along Bulgaria&#39;s black sea coast is about 15,000, according to environment ministry data.<br />
<br />
The penalty for killing a dolphin is a fine of up to 20,000 Levs ($11,270), and imprisonment for up to five years.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Alarmingly, 108 dead dolphins were found here in 2016, much more than the previous high of 74

Carcasses of dolphins are washing up on Bulgaria's Black Sea beaches at a higher than normal rate, with a record 108 dead animals discovered this year, local authorities said on Thursday. The cause of the deaths has yet to be determined, said enviroment minister Ivelina Vasileva, after collecting information by regional centres, adding that 77 of the dead dolphins were found in the southern part of the country's Black Sea coast. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov today called for a special meeting with conservation organisations to try to find a solution to the record number of deaths. He said on his official Facebook page that steps are being taken to ban fishing in areas populated by the protected species. The number of dead dolphins in 2016 is significantly higher than the 56 found last year and the previous record of 74 in 2012. Media reports of dead dolphins on Bulgarian beaches have been rife in recent years. In spite of repeated allegations, often with finger-pointing at fishermen, the cause has yet to be established conclusively. There are three species of dolphins in the Black Sea off Bulgaria: the short-beaked common dolphin, the harbour porpoise and the common bottlenose dolphin. The dolphin population along Bulgaria's black sea coast is about 15,000, according to environment ministry data. The penalty for killing a dolphin is a fine of up to 20,000 Levs ($11,270), and imprisonment for up to five years. (Reuters)

Record number of dolphin carcasses wash up on Bulgaria's coast

<div paraeid="{05f3f4ba-6c27-4e34-b44d-90488c3797f0}{222}" paraid="738038165">On&nbsp;March 23,&nbsp;Abhishek Jalalabad&nbsp;spent the day&nbsp;practically praying&nbsp;that he did not&nbsp;see a whale in the waters of&nbsp;Palolem&nbsp;beach in South Goa. A day earlier a local branch of the conservation group, World Wild Fund, got in touch with him. It was a distress call.&nbsp;They wanted help rescuing an eight-foot&nbsp;dwarf&nbsp;sperm whale.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{05f3f4ba-6c27-4e34-b44d-90488c3797f0}{235}" paraid="1162057803"><br />
Jalalabad, a marine scientist,&nbsp;rushed to&nbsp;Palolem&nbsp;beach. By then, tourists and lifeguards had managed to release the whale into the Arabian Sea. But&nbsp;he&nbsp;stayed back on a hunch&nbsp;and his worst fears came true at about midnight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{05f3f4ba-6c27-4e34-b44d-90488c3797f0}{247}" paraid="416318180"><br />
The eight-foot whale returned to the shore in the dark of the night. Roughly 20 minutes after Jalalabad and his colleague, assisted by tourists, sent it back into the water, the&nbsp;whale beached&nbsp;again. This&nbsp;time, it lay still, dead.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tm514WannqY" width="560"></iframe>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{1}" paraid="7873198"><br />
This was one of the roughly 90 reported cases of whale and dolphin&nbsp;strandings&nbsp;along the Indian shores in the past&nbsp;16 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{13}" paraid="1319860927"><br />
More than 13,000&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;away from Goa is California&rsquo;s Pacifica Beach. Nicole&nbsp;Strasser&nbsp;was heading home from working the night shift at the hospital, but in the parking lot she noticed a nasty stench. Something was afloat on the beach. To her dismay it was a dead whale --&nbsp;the second she&nbsp;saw in a matter of weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{25}" paraid="1458958582"><br />
When WION spoke to&nbsp;Strasser, she was anxious. Last year she had spotted hundreds of whales in the sea. This year she has only seen dead ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{44}" paraid="109128051"><br />
More and more&nbsp;mass whale and dolphin&nbsp;strandings&nbsp;are being reported the world over. Once beached, they face the risk of injury and death from dehydration.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;January&nbsp;was especially baffling for marine scientists in India. More than a hundred short-finned&nbsp;pilot whales &ndash; a species of dolphins &ndash; were found stranded along a 15-kilometre&nbsp;stretch on a beach on the East coast&nbsp;of which 45&nbsp;died.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{61}" paraid="19417065"><br />
N&nbsp;Vasudevan, a conservationist&nbsp;for the&nbsp;Indian state of&nbsp;Maharashtra that flanks the western coast,&nbsp;told WION,&nbsp;&quot;The numbers are&nbsp;unusually high. Earlier, we rarely saw so many whales being washed ashore. We cannot say what is causing this.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{88}" paraid="1509952067"><br />
No marine scientist can pinpoint the exact cause behind cetacean&nbsp;stranding. Giuseppe&nbsp;Notabartolo&nbsp;di&nbsp;Sciara&nbsp;is the&nbsp;president of Tethys Research Institute in Milan&nbsp;that is a non-profit&nbsp;organisation&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;marine conservation through science and public awareness,. &quot;The news about whales and dolphins washing up dead in India in increasing numbers is worrisome. In India, it is clear that there isn&#39;t a single agent at work, but multiple causes, and each event has its own story,&rdquo;&nbsp;di&nbsp;Sciara&nbsp;said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{102}" paraid="1559345755"><br />
&quot;We humans are forgetting that all our activities conducted in unsustainable ways at sea are destroying not only the animal&nbsp;world,&nbsp;but our world as well,&quot;&nbsp;di&nbsp;Sciara&nbsp;added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{119}" paraid="327036382"><br />
Human disruptions also cost lives with dolphins getting caught-up in fishing lines and dying. A&nbsp;baby dolphin&nbsp;died after it&nbsp;was&nbsp;scooped out of shallow water by a swimmer&nbsp;and passed around at a beach in&nbsp;Argentina by a mob intent on clicking selfies with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{134}" paraid="46539843"><br />
In&nbsp;2015, scientists made a grim discovery in Patagonia, southern Chile: 337 dead&nbsp;Sei&nbsp;whales. This is the world&#39;s biggest mass whale stranding event ever recorded. A year on, investigators still have no explanation. Professor di&nbsp;Sciara&nbsp;speculated&nbsp;that the large number of dead whales in Chile must have a single cause, whereas it&nbsp;was&nbsp;&ldquo;very likely&#39; that the increase of dead whales in India is due to human activities, like plastic waste disposal in the sea,&nbsp;overfishing&nbsp;and underwater sonar&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{157}" paraid="969082255"><br />
In 2004, the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission&nbsp;concluded &ldquo;there is now compelling evidence that military sonar has a direct impact on&nbsp;beaked whales&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{166}" paraid="374851407"><br />
In 2001, the U.S. Navy acknowledged that its active sonar played a role in the stranding deaths of 14 beaked whales, two&nbsp;minke&nbsp;whales, and a dolphin in the Bahamas in 2000. Autopsies of the&nbsp;beaked whales revealed that the animals had suffered acoustic trauma resulting in hemorrhaging around the brain, in the inner ears, and in the acoustic fats located in the head that are involved in sound transmission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{186}" paraid="1217454194"><br />
Dr. N&nbsp;Ramaiah, chief scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;felt&nbsp;behavioral patterns could be a possible factor in the mass stranding of 45&nbsp;pilot whales in India this year. &quot;As these&nbsp;pilot whales move in large groups, each pod has a leader. Sometimes they land up on the shore while following their leader&nbsp;that may have lost its way due to disorientation,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{206}" paraid="794908400"><br />
Mass&nbsp;strandings&nbsp;may not even be a true indicator of what&#39;s going on in the ocean. Clare&nbsp;Embling,&nbsp;lecturer of Marine Ecology at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom,&nbsp;said&nbsp;stranding&nbsp;&quot;is always difficult to place in context, because only a small number that die will strand. Many big mammals sink, and where they die in relation to ocean currents, can influence how many strand. Seeing 30 sperm whales strand is upsetting, but it is difficult to know whether it is a fluke climatic event that caused it, or something more alarming.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{226}" paraid="1390480577"><br />
One major factor, however, is plastic.&nbsp;It&nbsp;is found floating in all the world&rsquo;s oceans.&nbsp;Among 10 species of baleen whales, 60 per cent have been found to be tangled in ocean debris, while 20 per cent have ingested plastic or other waste by mistake. The study of 65 different species of toothed whales by&nbsp;environmental&nbsp;group&nbsp;Greenpeace reveals&nbsp;that&nbsp;8 per cent managed to entangle themselves in ocean waste, another 32 per cent ended up ingesting plastic&nbsp;dumped in the ocean.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{e20761c3-5ece-4734-9b3d-a84b8441cdad}{244}" paraid="1987002615"><br />
Kumaran&nbsp;Sathasivam, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Conservation Network of India, said:&nbsp;&quot;Whales and dolphins consume plastic in the ocean thinking it is food. The ocean is already so&nbsp;polluted&nbsp;and it will take a lot of time for all this plastic to deteriorate.&quot;&nbsp;But to reduce all cetacean&nbsp;strandings&nbsp;to one cause is difficult without proper statistics, experts say.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f8fb269c-e177-4ca3-8947-a18c6761d825}{8}" paraid="557921561"><br />
Independent marine ecologist,&nbsp;Dipani&nbsp;Sutaria, says, &quot;A concerted effort to document and&nbsp;publicise&nbsp;these [stranding] events has begun only since 2013. We now have researchers or interested individuals all along the&nbsp;west coast.&quot;&nbsp;Sutaria points out that&nbsp;11 Baleen whales were found stranded&nbsp;in 2015&nbsp;on the west coast of India --&nbsp;eight in Maharashtra and three in Gujarat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f8fb269c-e177-4ca3-8947-a18c6761d825}{17}" paraid="1377072721"><br />
Sutaria believes&nbsp;the number of cases reported is directly proportionate to the response network on the coasts. There are fisher-folk, tourists, forest department staff, independent researchers, and local&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;that pass on information in case a marine mammal washes ashore.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f8fb269c-e177-4ca3-8947-a18c6761d825}{31}" paraid="931235265"><br />
While this mysterious uptick of beached&nbsp;whales is&nbsp;recent, the phenomenon itself is surprisingly old. Evidence of mass&nbsp;beaching&nbsp;has puzzled scientists as far back as 300 BC. &ldquo;It is not known why they sometimes run aground on the seashore,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Greek philosopher&nbsp;Aristotle. &ldquo;It is asserted that this happens when the fancy takes them and without any apparent reason.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f8fb269c-e177-4ca3-8947-a18c6761d825}{34}" paraid="1428470953"><br />
&nbsp;</div>


Dead whales, dolphins wash up on beaches from India to California and nobody knows why. Can anything save them?

On March 23, Abhishek Jalalabad spent the day practically praying that he did not see a whale in the waters of Palolem beach in South Goa. A day earlier a local branch of the conservation group, World Wild Fund, got in touch with him. It was a distress call. They wanted help rescuing an eight-foot dwarf sperm whale. Jalalabad, a marine scientist, rushed to Palolem beach. By then, tourists and lifeguards had managed to release the whale into the Arabian Sea. But he stayed back on a hunch and his worst fears came true at about midnight. The eight-foot whale returned to the shore in the dark of the night. Roughly 20 minutes after Jalalabad and his colleague, assisted by tourists, sent it back into the water, the whale beached again. This time, it lay still, dead. This was one of the roughly 90 reported cases of whale and dolphin strandings along the Indian shores in the past 16 months. More than 13,000 kilometres away from Goa is California’s Pacifica Beach. Nicole Strasser was heading home from working the night shift at the hospital, but in the parking lot she noticed a nasty stench. Something was afloat on the beach. To her dismay it was a dead whale -- the second she saw in a matter of weeks. When WION spoke to Strasser, she was anxious. Last year she had spotted hundreds of whales in the sea. This year she has only seen dead ones. More and more mass whale and dolphin strandings are being reported the world over. Once beached, they face the risk of injury and death from dehydration. However, January was especially baffling for marine scientists in India. More than a hundred short-finned pilot whales – a species of dolphins – were found stranded along a 15-kilometre stretch on a beach on the East coast of which 45 died. N Vasudevan, a conservationist for the Indian state of Maharashtra that flanks the western coast, told WION, "The numbers are unusually high. Earlier, we rarely saw so many whales being washed ashore. We cannot say what is causing this.” No marine scientist can pinpoint the exact cause behind cetacean stranding. Giuseppe Notabartolo di Sciara is the president of Tethys Research Institute in Milan that is a non-profit organisation supporting marine conservation through science and public awareness,. "The news about whales and dolphins washing up dead in India in increasing numbers is worrisome. In India, it is clear that there isn't a single agent at work, but multiple causes, and each event has its own story,” di Sciara said. "We humans are forgetting that all our activities conducted in unsustainable ways at sea are destroying not only the animal world, but our world as well," di Sciara added. Human disruptions also cost lives with dolphins getting caught-up in fishing lines and dying. A baby dolphin died after it was scooped out of shallow water by a swimmer and passed around at a beach in Argentina by a mob intent on clicking selfies with it. In 2015, scientists made a grim discovery in Patagonia, southern Chile: 337 dead Sei whales. This is the world's biggest mass whale stranding event ever recorded. A year on, investigators still have no explanation. Professor di Sciara speculated that the large number of dead whales in Chile must have a single cause, whereas it was “very likely' that the increase of dead whales in India is due to human activities, like plastic waste disposal in the sea, overfishing and underwater sonar”. In 2004, the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission concluded “there is now compelling evidence that military sonar has a direct impact on beaked whales”. In 2001, the U.S. Navy acknowledged that its active sonar played a role in the stranding deaths of 14 beaked whales, two minke whales, and a dolphin in the Bahamas in 2000. Autopsies of the beaked whales revealed that the animals had suffered acoustic trauma resulting in hemorrhaging around the brain, in the inner ears, and in the acoustic fats located in the head that are involved in sound transmission. Dr. N Ramaiah, chief scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography, however, felt behavioral patterns could be a possible factor in the mass stranding of 45 pilot whales in India this year. "As these pilot whales move in large groups, each pod has a leader. Sometimes they land up on the shore while following their leader that may have lost its way due to disorientation,” he said. Mass strandings may not even be a true indicator of what's going on in the ocean. Clare Embling, lecturer of Marine Ecology at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom, said stranding "is always difficult to place in context, because only a small number that die will strand. Many big mammals sink, and where they die in relation to ocean currents, can influence how many strand. Seeing 30 sperm whales strand is upsetting, but it is difficult to know whether it is a fluke climatic event that caused it, or something more alarming." One major factor, however, is plastic. It is found floating in all the world’s oceans. Among 10 species of baleen whales, 60 per cent have been found to be tangled in ocean debris, while 20 per cent have ingested plastic or other waste by mistake. The study of 65 different species of toothed whales by environmental group Greenpeace reveals that 8 per cent managed to entangle themselves in ocean waste, another 32 per cent ended up ingesting plastic dumped in the ocean. Kumaran Sathasivam, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Conservation Network of India, said: "Whales and dolphins consume plastic in the ocean thinking it is food. The ocean is already so polluted and it will take a lot of time for all this plastic to deteriorate." But to reduce all cetacean strandings to one cause is difficult without proper statistics, experts say. Independent marine ecologist, Dipani Sutaria, says, "A concerted effort to document and publicise these [stranding] events has begun only since 2013. We now have researchers or interested individuals all along the west coast." Sutaria points out that 11 Baleen whales were found stranded in 2015 on the west coast of India -- eight in Maharashtra and three in Gujarat. Sutaria believes the number of cases reported is directly proportionate to the response network on the coasts. There are fisher-folk, tourists, forest department staff, independent researchers, and local organisations that pass on information in case a marine mammal washes ashore. While this mysterious uptick of beached whales is recent, the phenomenon itself is surprisingly old. Evidence of mass beaching has puzzled scientists as far back as 300 BC. “It is not known why they sometimes run aground on the seashore,” said Greek philosopher Aristotle. “It is asserted that this happens when the fancy takes them and without any apparent reason."

Sharp rise in whale, dolphin stranding deaths in India

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