Sri Lanka rescues 120 whales after mass stranding

Rescuers, volunteers race to save about 100 pilot whales stranded on western coast

Published: November 03, 2020 12:11 AFP and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

1 of 12

Colombo: Sri Lanka's navy and volunteers rescued 120 pilot whales stranded in the country's biggest mass beaching, but at least two injured animals were found dead, officials said. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 12

Sailors from the navy and the coastguard along with local volunteers pushed back at least 120 whales by dawn Tuesday after a gruelling overnight rescue, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 12

The school of short-finned pilot whales washed ashore at Panadura, 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Colombo, since Monday afternoon in the biggest-ever mass stranding of whales on the island. Image Credit: AP

4 of 12

"We used our small inshore patrol craft to pull the whales one by one back into deeper waters," said de Silva. "Sadly, two whales have died of the injuries sustained when they beached." Image Credit: Reuters

5 of 12

Local authorities were braced for mass deaths as seen in Tasmania in September when about 470 pilot whales were stranded and only about 110 of them could be saved after days of rescue efforts. Image Credit: Reuters

6 of 12

Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed that Panadura saw the largest single pod of whales stranded in the South Asian country. "It is very unusual for such a large number to reach our shores," MEPA chief Dharshani Lahandapura told AFP, adding that the cause of the stranding was not known. Image Credit: Reuters

7 of 12

"We think this is similar to the mass stranding in Tasmania in September." Image Credit: Reuters

8 of 12

Pilot whales - which can grow up to six metres (20 feet) long and weigh a tonne - are highly social. Image Credit: Reuters

9 of 12

The causes of mass strandings remain unknown despite scientists studying the phenomenon for decades. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 12

A Sri Lankan Navy soldier tries to push back a stranded pilot whale into the deep water in Panadura. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 12

Image Credit: AFP

12 of 12

Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Sri Lanka rescues 120 whales after mass stranding

More From Photos

Flash floods kill 50 in western Afghanistan

Three Spanish, three Afghans killed in shooting in Afghanistan

Pictures: Day 2 of Gulf News Edufair 2024

Gulf News Edufair 2024: Day 1 highlights in pictures

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Sri Lanka rescues 120 whales after mass stranding

More From Photos

Flash floods kill 50 in western Afghanistan

Three Spanish, three Afghans killed in shooting in Afghanistan

Pictures: Day 2 of Gulf News Edufair 2024

Gulf News Edufair 2024: Day 1 highlights in pictures

GULFNEWS SECTIONS