Recently, news broke of a tragic incident in which a large number of pilot whales were stranded near the shore of Kalpitiya, a town on Sri Lanka’s west coast. The incident highlights the importance of understanding whale stranding and the potential reasons behind it.

Pilot Whales: A Brief Introduction

Pilot whales are a type of cetacean, or marine mammal, that are part of the dolphin family. They are known for their distinctive coloring, which includes a dark body and a lighter underbelly. Pilot whales are social animals and often travel in groups, or “pods,” that can number in the hundreds or even thousands.

There are two species of pilot whales: the short-finned pilot whale and the long-finned pilot whale. Short-finned pilot whales are typically found in tropical and warm-temperate waters, while long-finned pilot whales inhabit colder waters. Both species are known for their intelligence and social behavior.

Understanding Whale Stranding

Whale stranding is a phenomenon in which whales become stuck on land, usually on a beach. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including illness, injury, or confusion. In some cases, the whales may be following a sick or injured pod member and end up stranded as well.

Most stranding events involve a single animal, but mass strandings can occur. These events can involve hundreds of marine animals at a time and are particularly devastating for the species involved.

Reasons for Mass Stranding

The reasons behind mass strandings are complex and not yet fully understood. However, scientists have identified several potential causes, including:

  1. Topography of the Region: Some coastal areas are more prone to strandings due to their unique geography. For example, shallow water or irregular coastlines may make it more difficult for whales to navigate and avoid becoming stranded.
  2. Illness: Sick or injured animals may become disoriented and end up stranded as a result. In some cases, a single sick animal can lead an entire pod to become stranded.
  3. Human Activities: Human activities, such as sonar or shipping, can disrupt whale communication and navigation, leading to confusion and strandings.
  4. Predators: Predators such as killer whales or sharks may drive pods of whales towards shore, causing them to become trapped and ultimately stranded.
Protecting Stranded Whales

When a stranding event occurs, scientists and workers will often try to rescue the stranded whales and guide them back into the water. This can be a difficult and dangerous process, particularly in the case of mass strandings.

Rescuers may use a variety of techniques to try to save the whales, including:

  1. Digging: Workers may dig trenches or channels to help guide the whales back into the water.
  2. Water Spraying: Hoses or pumps may be used to spray water over the stranded whales to keep them cool and hydrated.
  3. Netting: Nets may be used to create a barrier between the whales and the shore, encouraging them to swim back into deeper water.
  4. Relocation: In some cases, stranded whales may be relocated to a nearby cove or bay with deeper water.
Why In News

Recently, a heart-wrenching incident occurred in Sri Lanka where more than 100 pilot whales were stranded near the shore of Kalpitiya, and unfortunately, most of them died due to dehydration and muscle damage.

MCQs on The Kalpitiya Pilot Whale Tragedy

  1. What are pilot whales?
    A. A type of fish
    B. A type of marine mammal in the dolphin family
    C. A type of bird
    D. A type of crustacean
    Correct Answer: B. A type of marine mammal in the dolphin family
    Explanation: The essay mentions that pilot whales are a type of cetacean, which is a marine mammal, and they are part of the dolphin family.
  2. Why do whales become stranded on land?
    A. They get lost and accidentally end up on land
    B. They intentionally swim to shore for a rest
    C. They become confused due to human activities, illness, or injury
    D. They are trying to escape predators
    Correct Answer: C. They become confused due to human activities, illness, or injury
    Explanation: The essay states that whales can become disoriented due to illness or injury, or due to human activities that disrupt their communication and navigation.
  3. What are some potential reasons for mass strandings?
    A. Human activities, such as sonar or shipping
    B. Predators such as killer whales or sharks
    C. The topography of the region, such as shallow water or irregular coastlines
    D. All of the above
    Correct Answer: D. All of the above
    Explanation: The essay identifies several potential causes for mass strandings, including human activities, predators, and the topography of the region.
  4. What techniques are used to rescue stranded whales?
    A. Digging trenches or channels
    B. Spraying water over the stranded whales
    C. Using nets to create a barrier between the whales and the shore
    D. All of the above
    Correct Answer: D. All of the above
    Explanation: The essay mentions several techniques that may be used to rescue stranded whales, including digging trenches or channels, spraying water over the whales, and using nets to create a barrier.

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