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Three mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in southern Australian waters

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 13:53 authored by Evans, K, Morrice, MG, Mark HindellMark Hindell, Thiele, D
One hundred and fifteen sperm whales (97 female, 15 male, 3 unknown sex) were involved in three mass stranding events during the month of February 1998 along the west and northwest coastlines of Tasmania, Australia. Sixty-six of these whales stranded at Ocean Beach, Strahan; 35 at Greens Beach, Marrawah; and 11 at Black River Beach, Stanley. The remaining whales stranded singly along the coastline. Three mass strandings of this species in such close temporal proximity have not been reported in this area before, and this is the first time that data have been comprehensively collected from complete or near-complete groups of sperm whales from Tasmanian waters. Adult females dominated the three stranding groups. Total lengths ranged from 417 to 1,200 cm and ages ranged from 0.75 to 64 yr. Four females were lactating and four fetuses were found amongst the groups. Stomach contents were dominated by pelagic cephalopods.

History

Publication title

Marine Mammal Science

Volume

18

Pagination

622-643

ISSN

0824-0469

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Society of Marine Mammalogy

Place of publication

USA

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems

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