Only three of the 45 short-fin pilot whales survived the massive stranding in shallow water on Madura Island, Indonesia, off the northeast coast of Java
BANGKALAN, Indonesia – Only three of the 45 short-finned pilot whales survived the massive stranding on Friday in shallow water on Indonesia’s Madura Island, off the northeast coast of Java, officials said.
The three whales were pushed back into the sea by volunteers and local officials along the beach at Modung in East Java province.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the authorities are investigating the cause of death, while the carcasses will be buried on the coast.
“The volunteers who are helping them get back to the ocean said that some of the whales have returned to the shore because their mothers are still trapped on the beach,” said Parawansa.
According to data from Whale Stranding Indonesia, there were 59 stranded incidents in the country last year, most of them dugongs and spinner dolphins.