Mass Stranding of Pilot Whales Near Belize City

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Belize is currently addressing a mass stranding of pilot whales in the Drown Caye area, just off the coast of Belize City. Authorities have issued an urgent advisory for the public and all marine vessels to avoid the area immediately. Approaching the stranded whales poses significant risks to both humans and animals. Pilot whales, known for their size and strength, can react unpredictably when distressed. The Institute’s response team, in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, is closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary aid to the whales.

 

Jamal Galves, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute

“We’re looking at the incidents currently and I must say that these incidents have been occurring on a yearly basis, we’ve seen it over the last few years and we continue to monitor it. Currently, we’re just observing from a distance, hoping that they’ll make their way back to deeper waters before intervening. Should it become more urgent, should the animals come more closer to the coastline, should they get into more areas that are problematic for them, then we would intervene, of course in collaboration with the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, along with our team, to see what best we can do. Pilot whales are typically some of the best navigators of the sea, so when they get into a situation like this, it already alludes that there are some problem that is [happening] among their pods. One of the common things is that pilot whales have very tight bonds with their pod, so one pilot whale could be sick or disoriented and it will cause the entire pod to get into problems.”