Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2023 12:35:26 GMT
"Among the 71 false killer whales, 18 individuals (25.4%) showed a total of 20 injuries (66.7% dorsal fin, 27.8% body, 5.6% both dorsal fin and body) . .
. . Six individuals (22.2%) had an unidentified injury of which the cause is unknown. These include three individuals that appeared to have crescent-shaped scars on their body which were possibly inflicted by sharks. However, the photographs were of insufficient quality to confirm this. . . . Three false killer whales had injuries that may have been caused by sharks but other causes could not be ruled out. All wounds were located on the dorsal part of the dolphin, which is consistent with other studies [24], [25]. It has been suggested that odontocetes turn their back to the shark when they are attacked or that odontocetes with attacks on their dorsal side are more likely to survive the attack [25]. There are at least ten shark species which are known to predate on cetaceans [25] and six of these occur in the Caribbean, including tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus), dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), oceanic white-tipped shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) [63], [64]. It is not known which of these species occur in Aruban waters. In any case, these records indicate that local dolphins may be subject to shark predation.Shark Snacks On False Killer Whale
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by Martin Brody No Comments and No Reactions
A false killer whale that beached on the Sunshine Coast yesterday bore wounds thought to be from a shark attack, experts have said.
The whale died after desperate efforts by up to 50 people who rushed to Twin Waters on a rescue mission. The 3.8 metre female was first spotted at 6:30AM south of Mudjimba Island.
Originally thought to be a pilot whale, it was later identified by an attending Australia Zoo rescue team as a “pseudorca crassidens” – a false killer whale.
Workers Attempt to Revive False Killer Whale
The rescue team brought the whale into the shallows to conduct the identification, and efforts then continued to save the distressed mammal, which was believed to be an adult.
The injured whale had a damaged dorsal fin and evidence of “superficial” shark bites.
The rescue efforts stretched well into the morning as volunteers and veterinarians fought to keep the stranded mammal alive.
Australia Zoo veterinarian Tim Portas conferred with Sea World veterinarians during the rescue efforts.
A rescue unit spokeswoman said staff and volunteers were able to move the large whale from the beach and transfer it to a truck for transport to the Australian Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah.
“Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, the whale did not survive,” she said. “It underwent a necropsy at Australia Zoo to identify the cause of the stranding. The full cause of the stranding will not be known until the pathology results are completed.”
Those involved in the rescue were said to be devastated over the death of the whale.
Sources said sightings of the extremely sociable false killer whales are not common on the Coast. They prefer deeper waters away from land."