San Juan-Sana
Authorities in the Virgin Islands in the Atlantic have announced that more than 50 whales have died after stranding near the islands.
And the Associated Press quoted the island's Ministry of Natural Resources as saying in a statement: "The whales were among a group of about 150 whales that were seen in the area, and their bodies were found on the eastern end of Anegada Island," warning residents not to move or touch these whales.
In turn, Argyll Horton, a marine biologist at the ministry, said, "Unfortunately, the survival rates are very low for the whales on the beach," noting that "the authorities do not have facilities to care for these infected giant mammals."
Officials said they are collecting tissue samples from as many dead whales as possible to determine the cause of the mass stranding.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shortfin whales live in groups of 25 to 50 and seek warmer temperate tropical waters, with females living up to 60 years and males up to 45 years old.
The causes of strandings are often unknown, although scientists have sometimes blamed whale disease or harmful algal blooms, ship strikes, entanglement of fishing gear, exposure to pollution and underwater noise.
Follow Sana's news on Telegram https://t.me/SyrianArabNewsAgency