DWC to investigate into pilot whale beaching

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has initiated an investigation today to learn the cause of the beaching of hundreds of short finned pilot whales at Panadura beach.

The Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said that they are carrying post mortem inquiries on three pilot whales and one dolphin that have beached today morning.

He said that one diseased pilot whale was washed ashore at Panadura estuary, while two more pilot whales were washed ashore at Wadduwa area. Mr Sooriyabandara elaborated that they speculate that the dead dolphin which also washed towards Wadduwa area is a spinner dolphin.

He pointed out that the beaching of whale and dolphin carcasses took place following the mass beaching of short finned pilot whales that took place on Monday, November 2, 2020. 

He said they were capable of pushing all of the whales beached back to the ocean yesterday; as the fishing community, wildlife activists, Navy, coast guards and police helped them at the task.

 He added that even the officials of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and other state marine life protection authorities also provided assistance. 

He elaborated that they are currently suspecting that the pod of 100 pilot-whales has been washed ashore as they have been caught to strong current.

Mr Sooriyabandara said that they can learn more information on the mass beaching of the whales following the reports of post mortem.

He also advised the residents near the Panadura beach to inform them if whales are beached once again. He said that they could be contacted via their hotline 1992.