Pilot Whales - Self Exterminating?

**Voodo chile** · January 25, 2012, 04:11 PM

Recently we've had a pod of Pilot whales, beach themselves numerous times within a few days in the same general area.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10781277

Basically the department of conservation has just shot the previous survivors who have beached themselves again. Probably because of frustration.

People have said that it seems stupid to try and attack Japanese whaling ships in order to save whales when we have a massive group of them over in our own country trying to kill themselves and we end up shooting them and leaving them to rot. Could'nt we just say to the Japanese, "hey, death in inevitable for these animals, take them and use them"
It seems as if these whales would become extinct quite rapidly just by doing stupid things. Why is that? Why do these animals seem so intent on killing themselves?

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 26, 2012, 09:44 AM

Dont know. Some ideas abound are that whatever they use to locate themselves has changed... either the earth magnetic field or something else, I am not sure. Its sad though.

Or maybe they are just trying to evolve back into land animals.

**Phier** · January 26, 2012, 11:24 AM

I've been reading that the earth magnetic field is due for a flip. Its going to be rather interesting to see how migratory animals adapt.

As for the 'whales beach themselves, why stop whaling' thats pretty idiotic on those peoples part.

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 26, 2012, 11:33 AM

I've read that too phier... should be anytime now.

**Magicman2051** · January 26, 2012, 11:34 AM

Just so its clear, any time now equates to somewhere in the next few thousand years.

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 26, 2012, 11:38 AM

In Earths history its anytime between now and the next 50 million years.

Its random though. For example. Two reversals occured within a span of 50,000 years and the last reversal occured 780,000 years ago.

will start to suck though when it reverses...

**Veliky Kaiser Theos** · January 26, 2012, 11:50 AM

Pilot whales don't equal all whales. So no, don't kill whales in general. And the beaching is probably a minority amongst pilot whales.

Originally Posted by Voodoo Chile

Why is that? Why do these animals seem so intent on killing themselves?

It's called an accident. Should we start killing the disabled because some of them do stupid things and unintentionally hurt themselves?

Originally Posted by Phier

I've been reading that the earth magnetic field is due for a flip. Its going to be rather interesting to see how migratory animals adapt.

I think someone would've noticed by now if the magnetic field was flipping.

**Magicman2051** · January 26, 2012, 11:52 AM

I think someone would've noticed by now if the magnetic field was flipping.

The South Atlantic Van Allen Belt Disturbance would like a word with you.

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 26, 2012, 12:56 PM

Due for a flip means it hasnt flip yet but may.

**Voodo chile** · January 26, 2012, 03:19 PM

So basically if this flip is about to occur or their normal navigational methods have been changed then basically we would see this thing happen alot more often and there would be no point saving them seeing as they would just come back to the next day and the next.

**Phier** · January 26, 2012, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Voodo chile

So basically if this flip is about to occur or their normal navigational methods have been changed then basically we would see this thing happen alot more often and there would be no point saving them seeing as they would just come back to the next day and the next.

The magnetic field hypothesis for whale beaching, is just that a hypothesis, very little real evidence.

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 26, 2012, 04:56 PM

Like Phier said. Another idea is that sounds from land are conflicting with the whales sense of location and causing them to beach.

**Magicman2051** · January 26, 2012, 04:57 PM

Or that sounds in the sea, the movement of ships etc., is affecting the whales navigation and effectively blinding them.

You'd be amazed just how loud the engine of a supertanker is.

**Col. Tartleton** · January 27, 2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Magicman2051

Or that sounds in the sea, the movement of ships etc., is affecting the whales navigation and effectively blinding them.

You'd be amazed just how loud the engine of a supertanker is.

Not to mention that the shape of the ocean and the water allows loud sounds to cross the entire ocean. I know the whale songs can be heard for thousands of miles by other whales.

There were a bunch of Dolphins who suicide bombed down on the Cape. Most of them got rescued though.

**Copperknickers II** · January 26, 2012, 05:24 PM

There could be any number of things. But they are not killing themselves, they are almost certainly being affected by some kind of external stimulus, most likely manmade. I don't buy the magnetic flip thing, how many animal species were seriously affected by the last one?

**Phier** · January 26, 2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Copperknickers II

There could be any number of things. But they are not killing themselves, they are almost certainly being affected by some kind of external stimulus, most likely manmade. I don't buy the magnetic flip thing, how many animal species were seriously affected by the last one?

Whales have been beaching themselves (recorded) for centuries. I don't know how you can just state so glibly "most likely man made".

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

There is really no reason to assume its due to our activity over some naturally occurring phenomena.