Frantic bid to save scores of beached dolphins in Ibaraki

[yuiyoshida]

Source: JapanToday



HOKOTA —

Around 150 melon-headed whales, a member of the dolphin family usually found in the deep ocean, beached in Japan on Friday, sparking frantic efforts by locals and the coast guard to save them.

Rescuers were battling to stop the creatures’ skin from drying out as they lay on a beach in Hokota, Ibaraki Prefecture, while some were being carried in slings back toward the ocean.

Television footage showed several animals from the large pod had been badly cut, and many had deep gashes on their skin.

An AFP journalist at the scene said that, despite efforts to get the dolphins into the water, some were being pushed back onto the beach by the tide soon after being released.

Read more: http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/149-dolphins-washed-ashore-in-ibaraki

[jwirr]

1. Very sad and one of our worlds mysteries. Why does this happen?

[Gregorian]

2. Best guesses: chemicals, global warming, acidification, military bs.

I seriously doubt they're doing this on their own volition.

[freshwest]

3. All the above, and maybe underwater volcanic activity? n/t