Sri Lankan villagers have defied a novel coronavirus curfew to try to save about 100 whales stranded on their beach on the island's southwest coast. Libby Hogan reports.
PANADURA, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan rescuers have returned 100 whales to sea after a mass beaching, the country's navy has said.
Scores of short-finned pilot whales began coming ashore at Panadura, 15 miles south of Colombo, on Monday afternoon, and authorities were mobilized to help them back to sea.
Sri Lankans attempt to push a beached whale back to deep waters in the Indian Ocean in Panadura, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Locals joined officials from Sri Lanka's navy and coast guard in tending to the whales.
Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) told AFP news agency that it was the largest single pod of whales stranded in the South Asian country.
"It is very unusual for such a large number to reach our shores," MEPA chief Dharshani Lahandapura told AFP, adding that the cause of the stranding was not known.
Sri Lankans watch as some attempt to push a beached whale back to deep waters in the Indian Ocean in Panadura, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Rescue teams worked through the night with assistance from the navy, coast guard, lifeguards, and residents.
People are also reading…
The death of four whales is being investigated. The navy said that the whales might have followed one whale off course and become stranded.
In September, nearly 500 whales beached in Tasmania, Australia, in that state's largest ever beaching. At least a third died during rescue attempts.
Stranded whales in Australia
Australia stranded whales
A member of a rescue crew stands with a whale on a sand bar near Strahan, Australia, on Tuesday. (Brodie Weeding/Pool Photo via AP)
Australia stranded whales
Members of a rescue crew stand with a whale on a sand bar in 2020 near Strahan, Australia. (Brodie Weeding/Pool Photo via AP)
Australia stranded whales
Rescue crew members and boats are used to help a whale stranded on a sand bar in 2020 near Strahan, Australia. (Brodie Weeding/Pool Photo via AP)
Australia stranded whales
Members of a rescue crew stand with whales on a sand bar in 2020 near Strahan, Australia. (Brodie Weeding/Pool Photo via AP)
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
