(JP)Fourteen whales found beached in Kagoshima

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20020123a9.htm

 

Fourteen whales found beached in Kagoshima

 

KAGOSHIMA (Kyodo) Fourteen whales, three of which have

stopped breathing, were found washed ashore Tuesday

morning in Oura, Kagoshima Prefecture.

 

A group of whales lie beached in the town of Oura,

Kagoshima Prefecture.

 

Police said they were trying to decide whether to

resume rescue operations after rough seas and a low

tide prevented rescue workers from attempting to tow

the surviving whales, which are 8 meters to 10 meters

in length, back to sea.

 

They were to monitor the whales through the night and

pour water on them to try to keep them alive,

according to town officials.

 

Some of the whales were seen spouting water and moving

their tails, swayed by waves washing over them.

Rescuers are worried as the water around the whales

was red with blood, although there were no visible

injuries.

 

Police initially said that four of the beached whales,

discovered by a passerby at around 8:25 a.m., were

already dead.

 

Shigehisa Shima from Io World Kagoshima City Aquarium

in Kagoshima, however, said only three of the stranded

whales had stopped breathing.

 

He said the three may still survive, as they are most

likely sperm whales, which can live without breathing

for a considerable length of time.

 

Police said strong winds and waves probably drove the

whales ashore.

 

The Fisheries Agency has ordered local officials to

either burn or bury any whales that die. It advised

locals to consult with health departments if they

intend to eat the animals.

 

A marine expert in Fukuoka said reasons for whales

being beached are hearing infections or inadvertently

entering shallow waters.

 

But because a whole group of whales was beached, it

may be that the leader lost its way, the expert said.

 

The Japan Times: Jan. 23, 2002

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