The Tasmanian cetacean stranding record : a review of the cetacean strandings in Tasmanian waters and an examination of possible causes ...

• Main Author: Nicol, Douglas J
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Killer Whale; Sperm whale; toothed whale
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23243603.v1; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/The_Tasmanian_cetacean_stranding_record_a_review_of_the_cetacean_strandings_in_Tasmanian_waters_and_an_examination_of_possible_causes/23243603/1

Tasmanian cetacean stranding reports are examined and reviewed to establish the composition of the record and identify possible causes of the strandings. The record, to the end of February 1986, comprises 213 stranding events (152 single and 61 herd strandings) dating from 1825. These events involve 22 species and over 3000 animals. Five species (the pygmy right whale, sperm whale, long-finned pilot whale, common dolphin and bottle-nosed dolphin) have each stranded on more than 20 occasions, and represent 66% of the events. Four species (the false killer whale, strap-toothed whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, and Gray's beaked whale) have each stranded between nine and 13 times. The remaining 13 species have stranded on less than five occasions, usually only once each, and there are nine strandings in the record for which the species involved is not known. In general, areas with high numbers of strandings have complex oceanographic conditions. It is proposed that the high number of strandings on the western ...