Five Pilot Whales Dead After Stranding Event In Kalapaki Bay

Featured Image Credit: Maui Mow
By Sarah Sharkey

At least seven pilot whales beached recently beached themselves in Kalapaki Bay, Hawaii. Five of these whales died, more would have likely died if not for the impressive volunteer response.

Although some of the whales were guided back to deeper water, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration incident commander, David Scofield, “There is a chance they could restrand. Really, only time will tell.”

The social structure of pilot whale pods is tight-knit and therefore this species has the most mass stranding on record. This unfortunate incident may have been a lot worse without the help of brave volunteers who herding many of the pilot whales away from the beach.

The reasons why they beached is unclear, but the hope is those rescued whales will find more of their pod out at sea. Although only five died, it is suspected that there could be more fatal strandings in the future as these pilot whales travel in large pods. It is just a matter of waiting to see what will unfold.

While we wait, the reasons behind the deaths can only be speculated on. Scofield says “There are lots of natural- and human-caused reasons for stranding.” Possible causes for a stranding range from blunt force trauma in a boat strike, an infection from parasites on ingested plastic, entanglements or simply distress after watching another member of the pod become stranded.

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