The mystery is that 26 killer whales were found dead on the beach without any signs of injury

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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A team of marine biologists is investigating the mysterious mass entrapment Of orcas In argentina26 killer whales were found beached, with no signs of injury or trauma.

Experts from the National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET) and the Southern Scientific Investigation Center (CADIC) were informed in September about two ecotype D orcas found in San Sebastián Bay in the province of Tierra del Fuego.

A few weeks after the initial discovery, park rangers spotted more stranded orcas in an inaccessible area north of San Sebastian Bay.

“Once there, the team was able to verify that they were also ecotype D orcas,” CONICET and CADIC said in a statement. “The total number of stranded persons is now 26.”

According to scientists, the whales showed no signs of injury or trauma.

According to scientists, the whales showed no signs of injury or trauma. ,Courtesy of IMMA Project,

When the orcas were examined, there were no signs of injury from boats, nets, or other human activities. Based on how disintegrated they were, experts believe the largest group was trapped at the same time as the two first found.

Experts are continuing their investigation to find out what caused the stranding and learn more about these little-known orcas.

Type D orcas are easy to distinguish from other killer whales due to their distinctive features, which include their small postocular spot (or eye patch), rounded head, and a light patch behind their dorsal fin. They live in subantarctic waters and are often seen in large groups.

Scientists are trying to establish what is the reason for such a large number of people being stranded.

Scientists are trying to establish what is the reason for such a large number of people being stranded. ,Courtesy of IMMA Project,

D orcas type strandings are particularly rare. The recent incident is believed to be the third known stranding incident worldwide, having previously been observed in New Zealand in 1955, when 17 orcas were stranded on Paraparaumu Beach, and in 2022 in the Strait of Magellan off the southern tip of Chile, where nine killer whales of this type were found.

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Scientists reported that Type D orcas are found only in the Southern Hemisphere, specifically in the latitude range between 40 and 60 degrees south. There is very little land for them to have a coastline in that expanse of ocean, with the only major landmasses being New Zealand, Tasmania, and the southern tip of South America.

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