Yesterday many number of whales were washed ashore at Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur. A massive rescue effort was taken by officials and fishermen at the beaches. A report said 81 whales were washed ashore. 45 whales battled for life and they died despite various efforts to rescue them.
Each whale weighed 1200+ Kgs and they were about 4 metres in length. Fishermen and rescue team team guided 36 whales into sea. It was not clear as how many whales survived. But fishermen said that they have rescued most of them. Experts said the whales may have got disoriented while foraging near the shore at a time when the sea water had turned cool and salinity was down.
Researchers said that the whales have came close to shore due to high tide and when the tide went down they have suffered lots of surgeries. Sukumar who is Dean of Fisheries College and Research Institute in Thoothukudi said, "Whales are social animals and they follow lead fish which uses Sonar.
As the lead one has lost way, this mishap has happened. Rescue operations were carried out, else lots of whales would have remained dead."
