A pod of Pilot Whales off Cheynes Beach, Australia

[-]

This is old footage of a group of pilot whales that stranded shortly after. This close-knit, chaotic grouping behaviour is known to be pre-sranding behaviour and is a sign of confusion and stress. I've seen it first-hand with other pods of pilot whale in dangerous situations where we have thankfully been able to herd them safely back out to safety.

[-]

TesseractToo@reddit

Wow what sort of things (job?) are you doing that you can recognize pre-stranding behavior?

Interesting, I was curious about the clumping like that. I read that there are theories about strange acoustic anomalies and sometimes the pod leaders have Alzheimer's causing standings, so sad

[-]

ArtHefty542@reddit

I work running a strandings project and have had the misfortune to be involved in several pilot whale mass strandings including one that was actually thought to be the matriarch of the pod have age-related brain issues. Mass strandings are the worst 😔😢

[-]

Chefalo@reddit

I would love to hear more about your experiences.

[-]

TesseractToo@reddit

Wow! I'm a mod here, would you like to do an AMA some time? No pressure :)

[-]

ArtHefty542@reddit

Message me. I'm sure we could arrange something in the future.

[-]

wishiwuzbetteratgolf@reddit

Wow!!

[-]

ArtisticPay5104@reddit

Hm, I really don’t like the look of this, potential stranding behaviour. I hope the local rescue teams are standing by.

[-]

ArtHefty542@reddit

It's old footage from a couple or so years ago. They did indeed strand not lo g after with no survivors.

[-]

Excellent-Hawk-3184@reddit

Oh so sad!

[-]

Excellent-Hawk-3184@reddit

Wow. Looks like they’re totally enjoying the water.

[-]

Sy3Zy3Gy3@reddit

wow, so cool!

[-]

ArcherCute32@reddit

Give them lots of food and protection! Give them lots of food and protection! More clean ocean water! More clean ocean water! 🙏

[-]

Oyapock@reddit

How come they are all grouped together like that?

[-]

TesseractToo@reddit

From u/ArtHefty542 in another reply
"This is old footage of a group of pilot whales that stranded shortly after. This close-knit, chaotic grouping behaviour is known to be pre-sranding behaviour and is a sign of confusion and stress. I've seen it first-hand with other pods of pilot whale in dangerous situations where we have thankfully been able to herd them safely back out to safety."

[-]

1970Diamond@reddit

Probably to scare off Great whites and other predators

[-]

TesseractToo@reddit

Hehehe some of em are looking at the drone, so cute!

[-]

cheeseburgerphone182@reddit

looks like they're getting ready to strand....

[-]

ladymorgahnna@reddit

Actually in the dolphin family, just like orcas.Heres a bit from Wikipedia

Pilot whale Genus of dolphins in the order Cetacea Pilot whales are cetaceans belonging to the genus Globicephala. The two extant species are the long-finned pilot whale and the short-finned pilot whale. The two are not readily distinguishable at sea, and analysis of the skulls is the best way to distinguish between the species. Between the two species, they range nearly worldwide, with long-finned pilot whales living in colder waters and short-finned pilot whales living in tropical and subtropical waters. Pilot whales are among the largest of the oceanic dolphins, exceeded in size only by the orca. They and other large members of the dolphin family are also known as blackfish. Pilot whales feed primarily on squid, but will also hunt large demersal fish such as cod and turbot. They are highly social and may remain with their birth pod throughout their lifetime. Short-finned pilot whales are one of the few non-primate mammal species in which females go through menopause, and postreproductive females continue to contribute to their pod.

Source. Wikipedia

[-]