Only three of the 45 short-finned pilot whales have survived the mass embarkation in shallow water off the mature island of Indonesia, off the northeast coast of Java.
BANGKALAN, Indonesia – Only three of the 45 short-finned pilot whales survived the massive embarkation Friday in shallow water on the mature island of Indonesia off the northeast coast of Java, officials said.
The three whales were pushed into the sea by volunteers and local authorities along Modung Beach in East Java Province.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said authorities are investigating the cause of death while the bodies will be buried around the coast.
“Volunteers helping them get back to the ocean said some of the whales went back to shore as their mothers are still on the beach,” Parawansa said.
According to data from Whale Stranding Indonesia, there were 59 incidents on the beach last year, most of which were dugongs and spinning dolphins.