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A dead Cuvier's beaked whale washed ashore on the west coast of Cyprus
Photo: - / AFP
Seven dead whales have washed up on the west coast of Cyprus.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Research, it is now to be investigated how the whales got into the eastern Mediterranean and stranded on the island.
Whales in the area are rare.
It has never happened before that so many dead animals end up on Cyprus.
Cuvier's beaked whales dive deep and long
According to the ministry, the marine mammals that died were exclusively Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), which are known for being able to dive particularly deep and for long periods.
Four of them were already stranded on Thursday, but three of them could be driven back into the sea.
Then on Friday, six dead whales were discovered, which may have included previously rescued ones.
Animals are adversely affected by ocean noise
The cadavers had been examined to find out the cause of death, ministry representative Ioannis Ioannou told the CNA news agency.
“These animals have an echolocation system that is affected by sea noise;
it can be military drills, seismic drilling or of course the earthquake in the region,” Ioannou told Sigma TV.
According to him, three dead whales are said to have been found on the beaches of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Ankara.
jpa/AFP