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<p>Fourteen whales and one dolphin have died at Marineland, the theme park in Ontario, Canada, since 2019.</p>

<p>The Ministry of the Solicitor General created a list containing the details about the deaths of these animals following information requests. Two of these 15 marine mammals were among the tourist place's beluga whales. Furthermore, 12 deaths occurred within a two-year window. According to the documents, a beluga whale named Ikora died on 24 October, 2019, followed by 10 others. Then, a beluga named Bull died on 23 November, 2021, The Canadian Press reported. The ministry also confirmed the deaths of Kiska, the park's lone killer whale, a dolphin, and another beluga.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/science/its-nearly-impossible-to-send-manned-mission-to-mars-nasa-scientist-explains-why-628815" target="_blank">It's nearly impossible to send manned mission to Mars, NASA scientist explains why</a></p>

<p>In past years, provincial authorities have raised concerns about the park's water quality. They declared all the marine animals were in distress. In 2021, the province asked the park to improve the water quality for the marine animals. However, Marineland appealed that its animals were not in distress. They also refused any connection between the whale deaths and water conditions. Their website states they prioritise the health and wellbeing of their animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The investigation at the provincial level started in January 2020, and Animal Welfare Services inspectors have visited the park at least 160 times.</p>

<p>Marineland has not commented on the health of its animals. According to the reports, they have made several changes to the theme park. They have trimmed the duration of the dolphin and sea lion shows.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the staff, there are 37 belugas at the park. Among them, nine male belugas swim in Friendship Cove, and 28 female belugas swim in Arctic Cove.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/science/constipation-may-have-a-link-with-parkinsons-disease-says-study-629084" target="_blank">Constipation may have a link with Parkinson's disease, says study</a></p>

<p>Four years ago, Marie Holer, the president of Marineland, filed an affidavit with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the affidavit, there were 54 belugas at the park. The testimony was part of the US import process when Marineland sold five belugas to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two of the five belugas moved in 2021 have died, prompting a probe by the US government.</p>

<p>After the passing of its founder, John Holer, in 2018, Marie Holer took over the ownership of Marineland. Earlier this year, the park announced that it was up for sale.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Fourteen whales and one dolphin have died at Marineland, the theme park in Ontario, Canada, since 2019. The Ministry of the Solicitor General created a list containing the details about the deaths of these animals following information requests.

Fourteen whales and one dolphin have died at Marineland, the theme park in Ontario, Canada, since 2019. The Ministry of the Solicitor General created a list containing the details about the deaths of these animals following information requests. Two of these 15 marine mammals were among the tourist place's beluga whales. Furthermore, 12 deaths occurred within a two-year window. According to the documents, a beluga whale named Ikora died on 24 October, 2019, followed by 10 others. Then, a beluga named Bull died on 23 November, 2021, The Canadian Press reported. The ministry also confirmed the deaths of Kiska, the park's lone killer whale, a dolphin, and another beluga. ALSO READ | It's nearly impossible to send manned mission to Mars, NASA scientist explains why In past years, provincial authorities have raised concerns about the park's water quality. They declared all the marine animals were in distress. In 2021, the province asked the park to improve the water quality for the marine animals. However, Marineland appealed that its animals were not in distress. They also refused any connection between the whale deaths and water conditions. Their website states they prioritise the health and wellbeing of their animals. The investigation at the provincial level started in January 2020, and Animal Welfare Services inspectors have visited the park at least 160 times. Marineland has not commented on the health of its animals. According to the reports, they have made several changes to the theme park. They have trimmed the duration of the dolphin and sea lion shows. According to the staff, there are 37 belugas at the park. Among them, nine male belugas swim in Friendship Cove, and 28 female belugas swim in Arctic Cove. ALSO READ | Constipation may have a link with Parkinson's disease, says study Four years ago, Marie Holer, the president of Marineland, filed an affidavit with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the affidavit, there were 54 belugas at the park. The testimony was part of the US import process when Marineland sold five belugas to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Two of the five belugas moved in 2021 have died, prompting a probe by the US government. After the passing of its founder, John Holer, in 2018, Marie Holer took over the ownership of Marineland. Earlier this year, the park announced that it was up for sale. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Canada: 14 whales and one dolphin have died at Ontario theme park since 2019

More than a 100 beached whales in Australia have died. Scientists say they formed a huddle before becoming stranded. Priyanka Sharma discusses this heartbreaking story.

Gravitas: Australia euthanises beached whales

Older female killer whales protect their sons - but not their daughters – from fights with other orcas, according to new research.

Female killer whales protect their sons but not their daughters

<p>Over 50 whales have died after an entire pod was found in a mass stranding on a Western Isles beach in Scotland. The rescue workers were called to the scene at&nbsp;Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta around 7 am on Sunday (July 16) where they found the pod of 55, of which only 15 remained alive.</p>

<p>The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) workers tried to resuscitate the whales that were low down in the water. While one got away, the other was restranded and died later, as did three others, leaving 12 still alive - eight adults and four calves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite their best intentions, the rescue workers, however, could not get the rest of them back into the waters.&nbsp;Taking the difficult but compassionate decision, the rescue operators decided to euthanise the remaining whales on welfare grounds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“At about 3.30 pm, the local vet along with the coastguard, fire and rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals,"&nbsp;BDMLR said, adding that it was an "incredibly complex rescue".&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, due to the remoteness of the island, the medical and rescue workers had to drive up to five miles to get signals in order to communicate with rescue coordinators. It didn't help the cause that the BDMLR was&nbsp;"desperately short of response equipment".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nearly-200-pilot-whales-die-on-tasmanias-west-coast-after-being-stranded-537475"><strong>Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Cause of the beaching&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking about the cause of the mass deaths, the marine charity believes one of the whales beached while giving birth, leading to a chain reaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“One of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse – so it’s currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth."</p>

<p>According to experts, pilot whales are known to have strong social bonds, meaning when one of their pod members gets into difficulty and strands, the rest of them follow as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After Sunday's incident, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme will conduct necropsies to determine the concrete cause.</p>

<h2><strong>Other instances&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first instance when hoards of whales have died in a breaching incident. Nearly 500 pilot whales succumbed to the same fate when they got stranded in two separate events in New Zealand last year,&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prior to New Zealand, nearly 200 whales had died on Australia's Tasmanian west coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Department of natural resources, the whales got stuck near the harbour entrance, more popularly known as Hell's Gates.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/230-pilots-whales-stranded-in-the-same-spot-where-350-died-two-years-ago-518309"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded</strong></a></p>

<p>Despite the best efforts of authorities, the majority of the whales could not be saved and they died on the same spot where 350 pilot whales had lost their lives two years ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Over 50 whales have died after an entire pod was found in a mass stranding on a Western Isles beach in Scotland. The rescue workers were called to the scene at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta around 7 am on Sunday (July 16) where they found the pod of 55, of which only 15 remained alive.

Over 50 whales have died after an entire pod was found in a mass stranding on a Western Isles beach in Scotland. The rescue workers were called to the scene at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta around 7 am on Sunday (July 16) where they found the pod of 55, of which only 15 remained alive. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) workers tried to resuscitate the whales that were low down in the water. While one got away, the other was restranded and died later, as did three others, leaving 12 still alive - eight adults and four calves. Despite their best intentions, the rescue workers, however, could not get the rest of them back into the waters. Taking the difficult but compassionate decision, the rescue operators decided to euthanise the remaining whales on welfare grounds. “At about 3.30 pm, the local vet along with the coastguard, fire and rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals," BDMLR said, adding that it was an "incredibly complex rescue". According to reports, due to the remoteness of the island, the medical and rescue workers had to drive up to five miles to get signals in order to communicate with rescue coordinators. It didn't help the cause that the BDMLR was "desperately short of response equipment". Watch | Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded × Cause of the beaching Speaking about the cause of the mass deaths, the marine charity believes one of the whales beached while giving birth, leading to a chain reaction. “One of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse – so it’s currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth." According to experts, pilot whales are known to have strong social bonds, meaning when one of their pod members gets into difficulty and strands, the rest of them follow as well. After Sunday's incident, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme will conduct necropsies to determine the concrete cause. Other instances This is not the first instance when hoards of whales have died in a breaching incident. Nearly 500 pilot whales succumbed to the same fate when they got stranded in two separate events in New Zealand last year, Prior to New Zealand, nearly 200 whales had died on Australia's Tasmanian west coast. According to the Department of natural resources, the whales got stuck near the harbour entrance, more popularly known as Hell's Gates. Also read | Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded Despite the best efforts of authorities, the majority of the whales could not be saved and they died on the same spot where 350 pilot whales had lost their lives two years ago. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Over 50 pilot whales die after being stranded on beach in Scottish islands

Pilot whales are known for their strong social bonds. Often, when one whale gets into difficulty and strands itself, the others follow, and this is what happened on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. A mass stranding of pilot whales. Initial reports suggested there were 55 animals, and later on, it was reported only 15 were still alive. They were euthanized on welfare grounds.

Pilot whales strand themselves on isle of Lewis, Euthanised

<p>A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth&nbsp;$500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Antonio Fernández Rodríguez, head of the institute of animal health and food security at the University of Las Palmas, while conducting the autopsy of the whale found that the large mammal had died due to a suspected digestive problem.&nbsp;Rodríguez found something hard stuck inside the animal's colon, which ultimately proved to be the cause of its death.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“What I took out was a stone about 50-60cm in diameter weighing 9.5kg.&nbsp;The waves were washing over the whale. Everyone was watching when I returned to the beach but they didn’t know that what I had in my hands was ambergris," said&nbsp;Rodríguez.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is estimated that less than one per cent of sperm whales are capable of secreting ambergris. The lump&nbsp;Rodríguez held in his hand was worth over $500,000. While mostly excreted, sometimes, as in the case of the whale in La Palma,&nbsp;ambergris grows too big, rupturing the intestine and killing the whale.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the autopsy,&nbsp;Rodríguez confirmed that&nbsp;sepsis caused by the ambergris killed the whale. The institute is now looking for a buyer who can purchase the&nbsp;ambergris, the funds for which would go towards helping victims of the volcano that erupted on La Palma in 2021.</p>

<p>“The law is different in every country,” Fernández said. “In our case, I hope the money will go to the island of La Palma, where the whale ran aground and died.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-whales-help-store-planet-heating-carbon-emissions-544848"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What is&nbsp;ambergris?</strong></h2>

<p>Generally called whale vomit,&nbsp;ambergris is derived from&nbsp;old French words<strong>&nbsp;</strong>'amber' and 'gris', roughly translating to grey amber.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A whale produces this solid waxy substance as a form of vomit which fishermen often find floating in the sea. Whales usually survive on eating large quantities of squid and cuttlefish. However, most of it cannot be digested and is vomited out. Some of it remains in the digestive tract and over the years, and binds together to form&nbsp;ambergris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is called Treasure of the Sea or Floating Gold as perfume companies use the&nbsp;ambrein alcohol extracted from ambergris to sustain scent.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whales-can-help-fight-the-climate-change-scientists-say-544934"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say</strong></a></p>

<p>The commodity's rarity is why it is banned in some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. In India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 prohibits the possession and sale of ambergris.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth $500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails.

A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth $500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails. Antonio Fernández Rodríguez, head of the institute of animal health and food security at the University of Las Palmas, while conducting the autopsy of the whale found that the large mammal had died due to a suspected digestive problem. Rodríguez found something hard stuck inside the animal's colon, which ultimately proved to be the cause of its death. “What I took out was a stone about 50-60cm in diameter weighing 9.5kg. The waves were washing over the whale. Everyone was watching when I returned to the beach but they didn’t know that what I had in my hands was ambergris," said Rodríguez. It is estimated that less than one per cent of sperm whales are capable of secreting ambergris. The lump Rodríguez held in his hand was worth over $500,000. While mostly excreted, sometimes, as in the case of the whale in La Palma, ambergris grows too big, rupturing the intestine and killing the whale. After the autopsy, Rodríguez confirmed that sepsis caused by the ambergris killed the whale. The institute is now looking for a buyer who can purchase the ambergris, the funds for which would go towards helping victims of the volcano that erupted on La Palma in 2021. “The law is different in every country,” Fernández said. “In our case, I hope the money will go to the island of La Palma, where the whale ran aground and died.” WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions × What is ambergris? Generally called whale vomit, ambergris is derived from old French words 'amber' and 'gris', roughly translating to grey amber. A whale produces this solid waxy substance as a form of vomit which fishermen often find floating in the sea. Whales usually survive on eating large quantities of squid and cuttlefish. However, most of it cannot be digested and is vomited out. Some of it remains in the digestive tract and over the years, and binds together to form ambergris. It is called Treasure of the Sea or Floating Gold as perfume companies use the ambrein alcohol extracted from ambergris to sustain scent. Also read | Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say The commodity's rarity is why it is banned in some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. In India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 prohibits the possession and sale of ambergris. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Floating gold' worth $500k found in dead whale in Canary Islands

<p>A drone pilot was able to capture the footage of a rather unique encounter&nbsp;which took place&nbsp;over the weekend, where a humpback whale followed a kayaker off Bondi Beach in Australia for a couple of minutes. The video, as per local media reports, was shot in the morning when the whale swam alongside a kayaker who was out for a&nbsp;morning paddle.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>‘Super curious’ humpback whale</strong></h2>

<p>The video posted by Dronesharkapp has garnered over 40,000 likes on Instagram since it was posted two days ago. It shows the whale following the kayaker and even swimming alongside them near Bondi Beach for several minutes before they part ways.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Wowsers. This just happened at #bondi. This #humpbackwhale was super curious and followed this kayaker in all the way from Tamarama,” read the caption of the video.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>‘Best day of their life’: People react</strong><br />
<br />
Several people reacted to the encounter with one user calling it “Wow…best day of their life.” While another user said, “They look like they’re on a stroll together.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some users even raised concerns about the whale being in such shallow waters. “Is it worrying that whalie is so close or in such shallow waters?” wrote a user. However, the account which posted&nbsp;the video assured them that it happens “quite a bit”.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Whales’ annual migration</strong></h2>

<p>As per local media reports, hundreds of marine mammals have been spotted off the coast in Sydney this month given their annual migration north from Antarctic waters to the Great Barrier Reef. Notably, the researchers have been stunned by the large number of humpbacks observed this season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A wildlife scientist and whale expert at Australia’s Macquarie University, Vanessa Pirotta, said that there could be a number of factors contributing to the increased number of whales on the country’s coasts this season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also said that they are not 100 per cent sure what is driving this increase in whale numbers but said that their “population is recovering” and maybe there are favourable conditions in Antarctica this year.<br />
<br />
Pirotta also said that it might be because of the El Nino weather pattern with warmer conditions there are more people on the beach and seeing more whales, adding that “It’s hard to say.” &nbsp;</p>

<p>This year around, up to 50,000 whales are expected to pass Australia’s east coast during their annual migration season. Additionally, given the rise in the number of humpback whales the country removed them from their threatened species list, last year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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A drone pilot was able to capture the footage of a rather unique encounter which took place over the weekend, where a humpback whale followed a kayaker off Bondi Beach in Australia for a couple of minutes.

A drone pilot was able to capture the footage of a rather unique encounter which took place over the weekend, where a humpback whale followed a kayaker off Bondi Beach in Australia for a couple of minutes. The video, as per local media reports, was shot in the morning when the whale swam alongside a kayaker who was out for a morning paddle. ‘Super curious’ humpback whale The video posted by Dronesharkapp has garnered over 40,000 likes on Instagram since it was posted two days ago. It shows the whale following the kayaker and even swimming alongside them near Bondi Beach for several minutes before they part ways. “Wowsers. This just happened at #bondi. This #humpbackwhale was super curious and followed this kayaker in all the way from Tamarama,” read the caption of the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MARINE LIFE SHOW🐳🐬🐋🦈 FROM Air (@dronesharkapp) × ‘Best day of their life’: People react Several people reacted to the encounter with one user calling it “Wow…best day of their life.” While another user said, “They look like they’re on a stroll together.” Some users even raised concerns about the whale being in such shallow waters. “Is it worrying that whalie is so close or in such shallow waters?” wrote a user. However, the account which posted the video assured them that it happens “quite a bit”. Whales’ annual migration As per local media reports, hundreds of marine mammals have been spotted off the coast in Sydney this month given their annual migration north from Antarctic waters to the Great Barrier Reef. Notably, the researchers have been stunned by the large number of humpbacks observed this season. A wildlife scientist and whale expert at Australia’s Macquarie University, Vanessa Pirotta, said that there could be a number of factors contributing to the increased number of whales on the country’s coasts this season. She also said that they are not 100 per cent sure what is driving this increase in whale numbers but said that their “population is recovering” and maybe there are favourable conditions in Antarctica this year. Pirotta also said that it might be because of the El Nino weather pattern with warmer conditions there are more people on the beach and seeing more whales, adding that “It’s hard to say.” This year around, up to 50,000 whales are expected to pass Australia’s east coast during their annual migration season. Additionally, given the rise in the number of humpback whales the country removed them from their threatened species list, last year. 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.

WATCH | ‘Super curious’ whale follows kayaker off Bondi beach in Australia

Killer Whales have been attacking ships in the Iberian Peninsula. Scientists say their coordinated actions are purpose-driven. They also speculate Orcas have been teaching each other to sink vessels. Is nature revolting against human disruptions?

Gravitas: Scientists suggest Killer Whales are teaching each other to sink ships

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<p>A beluga whale, suspected to be a spy trained by the Russian navy, made an appearance off the Swedish coast on Sunday. The whale, which made headlines back in 2019 when it was discovered off the Norwegian coast, had spent more than&nbsp;three years slowly moving down the top half of the Norwegian coastline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The whale was observed loitering in Hunnebostrand, off Sweden’s south-western coast, with marine biologists attempting to decipher did it end&nbsp;up there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We don’t know why he has sped up so fast right now," Sebastian Strand, a marine biologist with the OneWhale organisation was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It could be hormones driving him to find a mate. Or it could be loneliness, as belugas are a very social species – it could be that he’s searching for other beluga whales," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The whale, believed to be 13-14 years old is at an age where the hormones are shooting through the roof. According to reports, the whale has not seen a single other beluga since arriving in Norway.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-france-rescued-the-beluga-whale-trapped-in-seine-river-505397"><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;How France rescued the beluga whale trapped in Seine river</strong></a></p>

<p>The whale, who has been given the nickname "Hvaldimir", had a harness with a mount suited for an action camera planted on it when it was first discovered. The plastic clasps of the mount had the words Equipment St Petersburg printed on them, which led to an international conspiracy theory about the whale being a Russian spy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Moscow never confirmed or issued any official reaction to theories that the whale was a "Russian spy".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Keep distance from the beluga: Norway</strong></h2>

<p>The whale straying into Swedish waters comes nearly a week after the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries appealed to the public to “avoid contact" with the mammal so that it doesn't suffer any injuries accidentally or lose its life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We especially encourage people in boats to keep a good distance to avoid the whale being injured or, in the worst case, killed by boat traffic,” said Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-woman-survives-five-days-in-bush-drinking-only-wine-trending-on-wion-590535"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Australia woman survives five days in bush drinking only wine | Trending on WION</strong></a></p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/woman-screams-after-spotting-cockroach-in-tel-aviv-cafe-people-flee-thinking-it-to-be-terror-attack-597802#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<p>“We have always communicated that the whale in question is a free-living animal and we see no reason to capture it and put it behind barriers,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-asks-people-to-keep-distance-from-spy-whale-to-ensure-animals-safety-596203" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Norway asks people to keep distance from ‘spy’ whale to ensure animal’s safety</strong></a></p>

<p>The beluga whales can&nbsp;live between 40 and 60 years, reaching a size of about six metres. They&nbsp;are generally found in the&nbsp;icy waters around Greenland, northern Norway and Russia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A beluga whale, suspected to be a spy trained by the Russian navy, made an appearance off the Swedish coast on Sunday. The whale, which made headlines back in 2019 when it was discovered off the Norwegian coast, had spent more than three years slowly moving down the top half of the Norwegian coastline.

A beluga whale, suspected to be a spy trained by the Russian navy, made an appearance off the Swedish coast on Sunday. The whale, which made headlines back in 2019 when it was discovered off the Norwegian coast, had spent more than three years slowly moving down the top half of the Norwegian coastline. The whale was observed loitering in Hunnebostrand, off Sweden’s south-western coast, with marine biologists attempting to decipher did it end up there. “We don’t know why he has sped up so fast right now," Sebastian Strand, a marine biologist with the OneWhale organisation was quoted as saying by AFP. “It could be hormones driving him to find a mate. Or it could be loneliness, as belugas are a very social species – it could be that he’s searching for other beluga whales," he added. The whale, believed to be 13-14 years old is at an age where the hormones are shooting through the roof. According to reports, the whale has not seen a single other beluga since arriving in Norway. IN PICS | How France rescued the beluga whale trapped in Seine river The whale, who has been given the nickname "Hvaldimir", had a harness with a mount suited for an action camera planted on it when it was first discovered. The plastic clasps of the mount had the words Equipment St Petersburg printed on them, which led to an international conspiracy theory about the whale being a Russian spy. Notably, Moscow never confirmed or issued any official reaction to theories that the whale was a "Russian spy". Keep distance from the beluga: Norway The whale straying into Swedish waters comes nearly a week after the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries appealed to the public to “avoid contact" with the mammal so that it doesn't suffer any injuries accidentally or lose its life. “We especially encourage people in boats to keep a good distance to avoid the whale being injured or, in the worst case, killed by boat traffic,” said Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen in a statement. WATCH | Australia woman survives five days in bush drinking only wine | Trending on WION × “We have always communicated that the whale in question is a free-living animal and we see no reason to capture it and put it behind barriers,” he added. ALSO READ | Norway asks people to keep distance from ‘spy’ whale to ensure animal’s safety The beluga whales can live between 40 and 60 years, reaching a size of about six metres. They are generally found in the icy waters around Greenland, northern Norway and Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian 'spy' whale surfaces in Sweden after spending three years on Norwegian coastline

<p>Canada's last captive killer whale, dubbed "the loneliest whale in the world" has died. Kiska, the 47-year-old Orca whale, as per local media reports, died on Thursday (March 9) of bacterial infection. The lonely mammal spent the last four decades of her life in captivity, with more than 12 of those (since 2011) in isolation. Kiska was a resident of Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kiska, the 'world's loneliest whale', was captured in 1979 from Icelandic waters along with Keiko the whale, who went on to star in the movie 'Free Willy'. She spent her earlier captive life in various marine parks before ending up in the Canadian amusement park.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;The mystery behind Whale strandings on shores of Cyprus</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We can confirm that Kiska, MarineLand’s last orca has been buried at the park. This, sadly is her final resting place. May she rest in peace. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPKiska?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPKiska</a> <a href="https://t.co/GUKbY2NtAN">pic.twitter.com/GUKbY2NtAN</a></p>
— Phil Demers (@walruswhisperer) <a href="https://twitter.com/walruswhisperer/status/1634643700025380866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), "Kiska the orca has died from a bacterial infection at Marineland of Canada in Ontario."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You deserved so much better, Kiska.<br />
<br />
We won’t stop fighting for orcas like you. <a href="https://t.co/BWcOy2gZ1K">pic.twitter.com/BWcOy2gZ1K</a></p>
— PETA (@peta) <a href="https://twitter.com/peta/status/1634344449542086664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The group further added that "she spent her final years isolated in a cramped tank, swimming in endless circles or sometimes floating listlessly. Like all orcas and other dolphins held prisoner in marine parks and exploited for entertainment, she deserved to stay in the ocean with her family, where she could have experienced a natural life."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heartbreaking video of Kiska, MarineLand’s last orca’s tank prior to and just after her tragic death. Let her legacy be that of inspiring great change as she’s the last orca that will ever be in captivity in Canada. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPKiska?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPKiska</a> <a href="https://t.co/pBRt1Hw4Rg">pic.twitter.com/pBRt1Hw4Rg</a></p>
— Phil Demers (@walruswhisperer) <a href="https://twitter.com/walruswhisperer/status/1634620668477054977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kiska outlived all five of her calves, who sadly died before even reaching five years of age. In the wild, orcas, on average, have a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. For males, the maximum life expectancy is 60 years, while for females it is 80 years.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/absolutely-amazingbut-also-breaks-your-heart-moon-the-hunchback-whale-travels-5000kms-with-a-broken-back-542245">'Absolutely amazing...but also breaks your heart': Moon the humpback whale travels 5000kms with a broken back</a></strong></p>

<p>In September 2021, a video of Kiska bashing her head against the glass wall of her "cramped tank" had gone viral. The haunting video showed the "world's loneliest whale" slamming her head and body against the walls of her "prison".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the video, animal activists and rights organisations even filed a legal complaint about the "mental suffering" Kiska was enduring.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Cette vidéo qui montre Kiska en train de se taper la tête contre les parois de son aquarium du Marineland de Niagara Falls au Canada, a été tournée le 4 septembre 2021.<br />
Kiska est morte hier. Elle vivait seule, sans congénère, entre désespoir et folie, depuis 2011.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKiska?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeKiska</a> <a href="https://t.co/44A3Y46KgO">pic.twitter.com/44A3Y46KgO</a></p>
— Muriel Fusi (@Muriel_FUSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/Muriel_FUSI/status/1634475855375106048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In spite of that, her imprisonment continued. Canada banned whale and dolphin captivity in 2019, however, marine mammals like Kiska who were already in captivity were made an exception to the law.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/killer-whales-make-lifelong-sacrifice-for-their-sons-study-560246">Killer whale mothers make ‘lifelong sacrifice’ for their sons, reveals study</a></strong></p>

<p>Countries like the United States, China, Japan, Spain and Russia still allow for the captivity and breeding of killer whales like Kiska. According to a Whale &amp; Dolphin Conservation USA report, as of January 9, 2023, at least 173 orcas have died in captivity in the US. Another 30 deaths account for miscarriages or still-born calves. Despite this, and the years of activism on part of animal activists, the US SeaWorld still holds captive 18 orcas in its three parks.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Canada's last captive killer whale, dubbed "the loneliest whale in the world" has died. Kiska, the 47-year-old Orca whale, as per local media reports, died on Thursday (March 9) of bacterial infection.

Canada's last captive killer whale, dubbed "the loneliest whale in the world" has died. Kiska, the 47-year-old Orca whale, as per local media reports, died on Thursday (March 9) of bacterial infection. The lonely mammal spent the last four decades of her life in captivity, with more than 12 of those (since 2011) in isolation. Kiska was a resident of Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls. Kiska, the 'world's loneliest whale', was captured in 1979 from Icelandic waters along with Keiko the whale, who went on to star in the movie 'Free Willy'. She spent her earlier captive life in various marine parks before ending up in the Canadian amusement park. Watch | The mystery behind Whale strandings on shores of Cyprus We can confirm that Kiska, MarineLand’s last orca has been buried at the park. This, sadly is her final resting place. May she rest in peace. #RIPKiska pic.twitter.com/GUKbY2NtAN — Phil Demers (@walruswhisperer) March 11, 2023 × As per the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), "Kiska the orca has died from a bacterial infection at Marineland of Canada in Ontario." You deserved so much better, Kiska. We won’t stop fighting for orcas like you. pic.twitter.com/BWcOy2gZ1K — PETA (@peta) March 11, 2023 × The group further added that "she spent her final years isolated in a cramped tank, swimming in endless circles or sometimes floating listlessly. Like all orcas and other dolphins held prisoner in marine parks and exploited for entertainment, she deserved to stay in the ocean with her family, where she could have experienced a natural life." Heartbreaking video of Kiska, MarineLand’s last orca’s tank prior to and just after her tragic death. Let her legacy be that of inspiring great change as she’s the last orca that will ever be in captivity in Canada. #RIPKiska pic.twitter.com/pBRt1Hw4Rg — Phil Demers (@walruswhisperer) March 11, 2023 × Kiska outlived all five of her calves, who sadly died before even reaching five years of age. In the wild, orcas, on average, have a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. For males, the maximum life expectancy is 60 years, while for females it is 80 years. Also read | 'Absolutely amazing...but also breaks your heart': Moon the humpback whale travels 5000kms with a broken back In September 2021, a video of Kiska bashing her head against the glass wall of her "cramped tank" had gone viral. The haunting video showed the "world's loneliest whale" slamming her head and body against the walls of her "prison". Following the video, animal activists and rights organisations even filed a legal complaint about the "mental suffering" Kiska was enduring. Cette vidéo qui montre Kiska en train de se taper la tête contre les parois de son aquarium du Marineland de Niagara Falls au Canada, a été tournée le 4 septembre 2021. Kiska est morte hier. Elle vivait seule, sans congénère, entre désespoir et folie, depuis 2011.#FreeKiska pic.twitter.com/44A3Y46KgO — Muriel Fusi (@Muriel_FUSI) March 11, 2023 × In spite of that, her imprisonment continued. Canada banned whale and dolphin captivity in 2019, however, marine mammals like Kiska who were already in captivity were made an exception to the law. Also read | Killer whale mothers make ‘lifelong sacrifice’ for their sons, reveals study Countries like the United States, China, Japan, Spain and Russia still allow for the captivity and breeding of killer whales like Kiska. According to a Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA report, as of January 9, 2023, at least 173 orcas have died in captivity in the US. Another 30 deaths account for miscarriages or still-born calves. Despite this, and the years of activism on part of animal activists, the US SeaWorld still holds captive 18 orcas in its three parks. (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.

Isolated for over a decade, world’s ‘loneliest whale’, Kiska, dies in Canada after 40 years of captivity

According to a recent study, scientists have warned that deep-sea mining could be doing irreparable damage to blue whales and other rare marine creatures. The noise produced by mining the seabed can in turn interfere with whales’ ability to communicate with one another leading to extreme damage. @mohammed11saleh brings you this report.

Deep-sea mining pose 'risk to ocean ecosystems': Study

Whales, the gentle giants of the oceans, they are large in size and are intelligent aquatic mammals but sometimes they get lost and end up on the beaches. In the US state of New Jersey, another humpback whale was washed up ashore.

WION Climate Tracker | US: 30-foot Humpback whale washes up at a New Jersey shore

Conservation and climate change mitigation are often considered two separate environmental issues but both are deeply linked to each other. We know that tackling climate change can help save wildlife populations around the world but the opposite is also true.

WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions

<p>Scientists have discovered that whales can actually help mitigate climate change, which is referred to as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A recent study from the University of Otago and the University of Alaska Southeast said that whales may be the largest living carbon sink in the pelagic zone of the open ocean.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study focuses on carbon sequestration, which is a process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The process is aimed at reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scientists have said that the most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), must be stored and captured if global warming is to be stopped. Carbon sequestration majorly talks about planting trees or restoring wetlands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But while mentioning whales, scientists said that because of their vast size, they can naturally absorb a lot of CO2. It means none of that carbon will leak into the atmosphere when they die and sink to the ocean floor.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch this report:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>"Their size and longevity allow whales to exert strong effects on the carbon cycle by storing carbon more effectively than small animals, ingesting extreme quantities of prey, and producing large volumes of waste products," the authors said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Considering that baleen whales have some of the longest migrations on the planet, they potentially influence nutrient dynamics and carbon cycling over ocean-basin scales," they added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the study, whales will consume up to 4 per cent of their body weight each day. Krill and photosynthetic plankton make up a large portion of their diets. This equates to about 3.6 tonnes of food each day for a blue whale. Whales can aid in the process of krill and plankton photosynthesis, which absorbs carbon.&nbsp;</p>

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Scientists have discovered that whales can actually help mitigate climate change, which is referred to as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. A recent study from the University of Otago and the University of Alaska Southeast said that whales may be the largest living carbon sink in the pelagic zone of the open ocean.

Scientists have discovered that whales can actually help mitigate climate change, which is referred to as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. A recent study from the University of Otago and the University of Alaska Southeast said that whales may be the largest living carbon sink in the pelagic zone of the open ocean. The study focuses on carbon sequestration, which is a process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The process is aimed at reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Scientists have said that the most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), must be stored and captured if global warming is to be stopped. Carbon sequestration majorly talks about planting trees or restoring wetlands. But while mentioning whales, scientists said that because of their vast size, they can naturally absorb a lot of CO2. It means none of that carbon will leak into the atmosphere when they die and sink to the ocean floor. Watch this report: × "Their size and longevity allow whales to exert strong effects on the carbon cycle by storing carbon more effectively than small animals, ingesting extreme quantities of prey, and producing large volumes of waste products," the authors said. "Considering that baleen whales have some of the longest migrations on the planet, they potentially influence nutrient dynamics and carbon cycling over ocean-basin scales," they added. According to the study, whales will consume up to 4 per cent of their body weight each day. Krill and photosynthetic plankton make up a large portion of their diets. This equates to about 3.6 tonnes of food each day for a blue whale. Whales can aid in the process of krill and plankton photosynthesis, which absorbs carbon. 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.

Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say

<p>What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth. The fossils found in the United States’ of Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest have puzzled scientists for a long time which led to several hypotheses over the years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, in a study published in the journal, ‘Current Biology’ researchers offer a new theory which is linked to the reproductive behaviour shared by several marine mammals today. The scientific name for prehistoric reptiles is Shonisaurus popularis which means lizard fish and could grow at least 50 feet long.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-doctor-may-have-saved-a-babys-life-by-repairing-heart-using-umbilical-stem-cells-544689">In a first! Doctor may have saved a baby’s life by repairing heart using umbilical stem cells</a></strong></p>

<p>“We present evidence that these ichthyosaurs died here in large numbers because they were migrating to this area to give birth for many generations across hundreds of thousands of years,” said the co-author of the study and curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Nicholas Pyenson, in a press release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fossils were excavated in the 1950s and found at least 37 of the ancient creatures had died at the same location over 200 million years ago. For this study, the massive skeletons were 3D scanned to create a detailed digital model, said the lead author Randy Irmis, chief curator and curator of palaeontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-italy-fish-starved-from-lack-of-oxygen-535400">WION Climate Tracker | Italy: Fish starved from lack of oxygen</a></strong></p>

<p>Subsequently, they found that the bones were preserved in different rock layers suggesting that the creatures could have died hundreds of thousands of years apart rather than all at once, said Pyenson. He added that the discovery of some tiny bones among the massive adult fossils was the breakthrough in the study, as the researchers realised they belonged to embryos and newborns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There are other examples of ichthyosaur embryos and newborns, but this is the first time we have strong evidence for reproductive grouping behaviour,” said Irmis, in an emailed statement to CNN. This behaviour is also linked to present-day whales who typically migrate across the ocean, where there are fewer predators, to breed and give birth. It is also noted that many species gather year after year along the same coastline.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-nursery-used-by-hammerhead-sharks-found-near-galapagos-island-543859">New nursery used by hammerhead sharks found near Galapagos islands</a></strong></p>

<p>Researchers believe that the fossils are from the mothers and offspring that died there over the years, while other clues also helped rule out previous theories of a mass stranding event or ichthyosaurs being poisoned by the toxins from an algae bloom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We know this is something many large marine vertebrates exhibit in the present, so it makes sense that similar behaviour occurred in the past. But we really didn’t know how far back, especially with extinct animal groups like ichthyosaurs, that have no close living relatives,” said Irmis to CNN.&nbsp;</p>

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What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth.

What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth. The fossils found in the United States’ of Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest have puzzled scientists for a long time which led to several hypotheses over the years. On Monday, in a study published in the journal, ‘Current Biology’ researchers offer a new theory which is linked to the reproductive behaviour shared by several marine mammals today. The scientific name for prehistoric reptiles is Shonisaurus popularis which means lizard fish and could grow at least 50 feet long. ALSO READ | In a first! Doctor may have saved a baby’s life by repairing heart using umbilical stem cells “We present evidence that these ichthyosaurs died here in large numbers because they were migrating to this area to give birth for many generations across hundreds of thousands of years,” said the co-author of the study and curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Nicholas Pyenson, in a press release. The fossils were excavated in the 1950s and found at least 37 of the ancient creatures had died at the same location over 200 million years ago. For this study, the massive skeletons were 3D scanned to create a detailed digital model, said the lead author Randy Irmis, chief curator and curator of palaeontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah. ALSO WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | Italy: Fish starved from lack of oxygen Subsequently, they found that the bones were preserved in different rock layers suggesting that the creatures could have died hundreds of thousands of years apart rather than all at once, said Pyenson. He added that the discovery of some tiny bones among the massive adult fossils was the breakthrough in the study, as the researchers realised they belonged to embryos and newborns. “There are other examples of ichthyosaur embryos and newborns, but this is the first time we have strong evidence for reproductive grouping behaviour,” said Irmis, in an emailed statement to CNN. This behaviour is also linked to present-day whales who typically migrate across the ocean, where there are fewer predators, to breed and give birth. It is also noted that many species gather year after year along the same coastline. ALSO READ | New nursery used by hammerhead sharks found near Galapagos islands Researchers believe that the fossils are from the mothers and offspring that died there over the years, while other clues also helped rule out previous theories of a mass stranding event or ichthyosaurs being poisoned by the toxins from an algae bloom. “We know this is something many large marine vertebrates exhibit in the present, so it makes sense that similar behaviour occurred in the past. But we really didn’t know how far back, especially with extinct animal groups like ichthyosaurs, that have no close living relatives,” said Irmis to CNN. 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.

What was once thought to be marine reptile death bed could be an ancient maternity ward: Study

Nearly 200 whales have died after becoming stranded on a beach on Tasmania's west coast. As per rescuers, some 35 whales are alive and warned of difficult rescue efforts.

Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded

Whales are among the most majestic beings on our planet. They have always fascinated human beings. People in Argentina witness something horrifying. Bodies of 13 Southern right whales have been found.

WION Climate Tracker | Argentina: Scientists conduct autopsies to assess cause of death of 13 whales

<p>Recently, 44 pilot whales discovered to be alive have been successfully pulled back into the water after being stranded on Tasmania's west coast.</p>

<p>Last Wednesday, over 230 pilot whales were reported to be stranded on the beach, but by the time rescuers arrived, over 170 had already perished. By Sunday, the death toll of stranded whales had reached nearly 200. They were chained together and towed out into the ocean, expected to float ashore.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/230-pilots-whales-stranded-in-the-same-spot-where-350-died-two-years-ago-518309"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded</strong></a></p>

<p>Locals tried to save whales by covering them in wet clothes, but that didn't help much.</p>

<p>However, amongst 44 alive whales, two of them were discovered to be giant oceanic dolphins. The mammals were saved by towing them one-by-one into whalers off the coast with the help of state government employees, veterinarians, locals, and volunteers from the nearby area.</p>

<p>Nic Deka, the incident's controller for rescue, expressed her gratitude for volunteering to save the aquatic animals. Authorities in the region have issued a warning that carcasses might wash up in the following weeks and announced that surveillance planes would be flying over the area to keep an eye on them, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-the-reason-behind-death-of-nearly-200-pilot-whales-on-tasmanias-west-coast-518650"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;What led to the death of nearly 200 pilot whales at a Tasmanian beach?</strong></a></p>

<p>The authorities have further requested people who see any whales stranded&nbsp;in the area contact them immediately.</p>

<p>Similar instance of mass stranding happened exactly two years ago. At that time, Ocean Beach had approximately 470 whales.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per experts, the reason for this mass stranding might never be discovered. But due to the heavy mass standing there, it is known as a "whale trap."</p>

<p>As per tracking satellite data, two of the saved whales are predicted to be swimming nearby.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Recently, 44 pilot whales discovered to be alive have been successfully pulled back into the water after being stranded on Tasmania's west coast. Last Wednesday, over 230 pilot whales were reported to be stranded on the beach, but by the time rescuers arrived, over 170 had already perished.

Recently, 44 pilot whales discovered to be alive have been successfully pulled back into the water after being stranded on Tasmania's west coast. Last Wednesday, over 230 pilot whales were reported to be stranded on the beach, but by the time rescuers arrived, over 170 had already perished. By Sunday, the death toll of stranded whales had reached nearly 200. They were chained together and towed out into the ocean, expected to float ashore. Also read | Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded Locals tried to save whales by covering them in wet clothes, but that didn't help much. However, amongst 44 alive whales, two of them were discovered to be giant oceanic dolphins. The mammals were saved by towing them one-by-one into whalers off the coast with the help of state government employees, veterinarians, locals, and volunteers from the nearby area. Nic Deka, the incident's controller for rescue, expressed her gratitude for volunteering to save the aquatic animals. Authorities in the region have issued a warning that carcasses might wash up in the following weeks and announced that surveillance planes would be flying over the area to keep an eye on them, The Guardian reported. Also read | What led to the death of nearly 200 pilot whales at a Tasmanian beach? The authorities have further requested people who see any whales stranded in the area contact them immediately. Similar instance of mass stranding happened exactly two years ago. At that time, Ocean Beach had approximately 470 whales. As per experts, the reason for this mass stranding might never be discovered. But due to the heavy mass standing there, it is known as a "whale trap." As per tracking satellite data, two of the saved whales are predicted to be swimming nearby. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australia: 44 pilot whales rescued and returned to sea at Tasmania's west coast

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<p>Nearly 200 whales have died after becoming stranded on a beach on Tasmania's west coast. As per rescuers, some 35 whales are alive and warned of difficult rescue efforts.</p>

<p>Brendon Clark, the operating manager said, "We have got about 35 surviving animals out on the beach and the primary focus this morning will be on the rescue and release of these animals," AFP reported.</p>

<p>According to the department of natural resources, the whales were stuck near the harbour entrance, more popularly known as Hells gates. "A pod of approximately 230 whales is stranded near Macquarie Harbour. It appears about half of the animals are alive," the department earlier said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sperm-whales-found-dead-en-masse-on-australian-island-518176">Sperm whales found dead en masse on Australian island</a></strong></p>

<p>It further said that Environment Tasmania Marine Conservation Programme (MCP) was working on assembling the whale rescue gear and heading to the location which is far from the mainland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Remarking that whales are a protected species, the department added that 'even once deceased, it is an offence to interfere with a carcass'.</p>

<p>The locals in an effort to keep the whales alive until professional assistance came, covered some&nbsp;with blankets and soaked them with buckets of seawater. However, despite these efforts, over 300 whales have died in Tasmania so far.</p>

<p>Various aerial images of numerous glossy black mammals were captured who were stranded on the end of the beach.</p>

<p><strong>An unfortunate coincidence</strong></p>

<p>It is pertinent to note that two years ago on September 21, the same date as today, one of Australia's worst mass whale stranding incidents was recorded. At the time, over 470 pilot whales were stranded in the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An elaborate rescue operation was launched at the time as well. And while 111 whales were saved, 350 lost their lives, leaving the humongous task of disposing of their carcasses.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>A beluga whale died in France</strong></p>

<p>As reported by WION, in August, a beluga whale strayed into the polluted Seine river in France, away from its natural habitat of the frigid cold waters of the Arctic.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Read more:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-beluga-whale-stranded-in-seine-river-dies-during-rescue-attempt-505541" target="_blank"><strong>&nbsp;France: Beluga whale stranded in Seine river dies during rescue attempt</strong></a></p>

<p>The protected species animal was stuck in the river which flows through Paris to the channel. Despite the authorities attempting to guide the whale, it wasn't able to find its way</p>

<p>Eventually, the white mammal died after a week, having starved and become excessively thin.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Nearly 200 whales have died after becoming stranded on a beach on Tasmania's west coast. As per rescuers, some 35 whales are alive and warned of difficult rescue efforts. Brendon Clark, the operating manager said, "We have got about 35 surviving animals out on the beach and the primary focus this morning will be on the rescue and release of these animals," AFP reported. According to the department of natural resources, the whales were stuck near the harbour entrance, more popularly known as Hells gates. "A pod of approximately 230 whales is stranded near Macquarie Harbour. It appears about half of the animals are alive," the department earlier said in a statement. Read more: Sperm whales found dead en masse on Australian island It further said that Environment Tasmania Marine Conservation Programme (MCP) was working on assembling the whale rescue gear and heading to the location which is far from the mainland. Remarking that whales are a protected species, the department added that 'even once deceased, it is an offence to interfere with a carcass'. The locals in an effort to keep the whales alive until professional assistance came, covered some with blankets and soaked them with buckets of seawater. However, despite these efforts, over 300 whales have died in Tasmania so far. Various aerial images of numerous glossy black mammals were captured who were stranded on the end of the beach. An unfortunate coincidence It is pertinent to note that two years ago on September 21, the same date as today, one of Australia's worst mass whale stranding incidents was recorded. At the time, over 470 pilot whales were stranded in the region. An elaborate rescue operation was launched at the time as well. And while 111 whales were saved, 350 lost their lives, leaving the humongous task of disposing of their carcasses. A beluga whale died in France As reported by WION, in August, a beluga whale strayed into the polluted Seine river in France, away from its natural habitat of the frigid cold waters of the Arctic. Read more: France: Beluga whale stranded in Seine river dies during rescue attempt The protected species animal was stuck in the river which flows through Paris to the channel. Despite the authorities attempting to guide the whale, it wasn't able to find its way Eventually, the white mammal died after a week, having starved and become excessively thin. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded

Whales, the gentle giants of the oceans are found in every ocean around the world. Humpback whales are also famed for their magical songs and these songs can travel great distances through the world's oceans.

WION Climate Tracker| Whales: The ultimate communicator? | Whales songs travel up to 8000 KM

<p>Whales have always been thought of as the smartest of mammals. Now a study published by the Royal Society Open Science has found that humpback whales communicate using songs that traverse through the length and breadth of the ocean, as far as 8000 kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reportedly, a team of researchers at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador recorded songs first heard from the humpback whales off the coast of eastern Australia. Fast forward a few years and the same song was picked up all the way in Ecuador, suggesting that the voice travelled across the South Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>&nbsp;“Half the globe is now vocally connected for whales. And that’s insane,” Ellen Garland, author of the study and a marine biologist at the University of St. Andrews was quoted as saying by the New York Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-rescuers-save-stranded-dolphins-using-buckets-and-towels-506224" target="_blank">New Zealand rescuers save stranded dolphins using buckets and towels</a></p>

<p>Fascinatingly, the songs sung by the humpback whale may change over time. The authors of the study attributed the change to two different phenomenons viz. progressive cultural evolution and cultural revolution.</p>

<p>In the first category, the songs follow the basic evolutionary process wherein different whales subtract, add or delete their units and phrases in the song. The little changes in each iteration of the song slowly lead to a completely different version that then spreads around in the colony.</p>

<p>In the second category, a neighbouring population comes around with its novel song and the existing whale population quickly laps it up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers cited an example of a male song on the east coast of Australia singing a completely different song compared to the local whales. However, it matched the song sung on the west coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Within two years, all males month the east coast started singing the same song, suggesting that the cultural revolution amongst the whales was much more rapid than we had thought of previously.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These really rapid cultural changes are not seen in any other animal species, it’s happened so fast.” added Garland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Garland also asserted that these songs travelled when neighbouring groups of whales passed within an acoustic range of each other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This passing usually happens when whales are leaving their breeding grounds and migrating to foraging grounds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it is still unclear what the songs stand for. Whether the male whales use it as a mating call with females or to mediate male-to-male interaction or as a multi-message signal, it remains shrouded in clouds of mystery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/research-suggests-now-extinct-megalodon-shark-could-devour-killer-whale-in-just-five-bites-508143" target="_blank">Research suggests now-extinct megalodon shark could devour killer whale in just five bites</a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Whales have always been thought of as the smartest of mammals. Now a study published by the Royal Society Open Science has found that humpback whales communicate using songs that traverse through the length and breadth of the ocean, as far as 8000 kilometres.

Whales have always been thought of as the smartest of mammals. Now a study published by the Royal Society Open Science has found that humpback whales communicate using songs that traverse through the length and breadth of the ocean, as far as 8000 kilometres. Reportedly, a team of researchers at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador recorded songs first heard from the humpback whales off the coast of eastern Australia. Fast forward a few years and the same song was picked up all the way in Ecuador, suggesting that the voice travelled across the South Pacific Ocean. “Half the globe is now vocally connected for whales. And that’s insane,” Ellen Garland, author of the study and a marine biologist at the University of St. Andrews was quoted as saying by the New York Times. Read more: New Zealand rescuers save stranded dolphins using buckets and towels Fascinatingly, the songs sung by the humpback whale may change over time. The authors of the study attributed the change to two different phenomenons viz. progressive cultural evolution and cultural revolution. In the first category, the songs follow the basic evolutionary process wherein different whales subtract, add or delete their units and phrases in the song. The little changes in each iteration of the song slowly lead to a completely different version that then spreads around in the colony. In the second category, a neighbouring population comes around with its novel song and the existing whale population quickly laps it up. Researchers cited an example of a male song on the east coast of Australia singing a completely different song compared to the local whales. However, it matched the song sung on the west coast. Within two years, all males month the east coast started singing the same song, suggesting that the cultural revolution amongst the whales was much more rapid than we had thought of previously. “These really rapid cultural changes are not seen in any other animal species, it’s happened so fast.” added Garland. Garland also asserted that these songs travelled when neighbouring groups of whales passed within an acoustic range of each other. This passing usually happens when whales are leaving their breeding grounds and migrating to foraging grounds. However, it is still unclear what the songs stand for. Whether the male whales use it as a mating call with females or to mediate male-to-male interaction or as a multi-message signal, it remains shrouded in clouds of mystery. Read more: Research suggests now-extinct megalodon shark could devour killer whale in just five bites (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Humpback whales sing songs that can travel half the length of planet: Study

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<p>Whales have always been thought of as the smartest of mammals. Now a study published by the Royal Society Open Science has found that humpback whales communicate using songs that traverse through the length and breadth of the ocean, as far as 8000 kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reportedly, a team of researchers at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador recorded songs first heard from the humpback whales off the coast of eastern Australia. Fast forward a few years and the same song was picked up all the way in Ecuador, suggesting that the voice travelled across the South Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>&nbsp;“Half the globe is now vocally connected for whales. And that’s insane,” Ellen Garland, author of the study and a marine biologist at the University of St. Andrews was quoted as saying by the New York Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-rescuers-save-stranded-dolphins-using-buckets-and-towels-506224" target="_blank">New Zealand rescuers save stranded dolphins using buckets and towels</a></p>

<p>Fascinatingly, the songs sung by the humpback whale may change over time. The authors of the study attributed the change to two different phenomenons viz. progressive cultural evolution and cultural revolution.</p>

<p>In the first category, the songs follow the basic evolutionary process wherein different whales subtract, add or delete their units and phrases in the song. The little changes in each iteration of the song slowly lead to a completely different version that then spreads around in the colony.</p>

<p>In the second category, a neighbouring population comes around with its novel song and the existing whale population quickly laps it up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers cited an example of a male song on the east coast of Australia singing a completely different song compared to the local whales. However, it matched the song sung on the west coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Within two years, all males month the east coast started singing the same song, suggesting that the cultural revolution amongst the whales was much more rapid than we had thought of previously.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These really rapid cultural changes are not seen in any other animal species, it’s happened so fast.” added Garland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Garland also asserted that these songs travelled when neighbouring groups of whales passed within an acoustic range of each other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This passing usually happens when whales are leaving their breeding grounds and migrating to foraging grounds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it is still unclear what the songs stand for. Whether the male whales use it as a mating call with females or to mediate male-to-male interaction or as a multi-message signal, it remains shrouded in clouds of mystery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/research-suggests-now-extinct-megalodon-shark-could-devour-killer-whale-in-just-five-bites-508143" target="_blank">Research suggests now-extinct megalodon shark could devour killer whale in just five bites</a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Humpback whales sing songs that can travel half the length of planet

In a significant feat, biologists also spot 3 North Atlantic right whales species that are endangered. They also spotted a mother-calf pair.

3 North Atlantic right whales species spotted, biologists also spot a mother-calf pair

More than two dozen whales died in a mass stranding at the remote Farewell Spit beach. The beach is known as a "death trap" for whales. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Dozens of Whales die in a mass stranding

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