Experts answer questions about melon head whales stranding in the beaches of Taizhou

9 questions about melon head whales stranding in the beaches of Taizhou, fish research experts answer one by one

9 questions about melon head whales stranded in Taizhou tidal flats, fish research experts answered 9 questions about melon whales stranded in Taizhou tidal flats, fish research experts answered one by one

On the morning of July 6, the police in Taizhou, Zhejiang received an alarm stating that a "dolphin" was stranded on the beach near the Toumen Port Bridge
.

When the police rushed to the scene, they found a total of 12 melon-headed whales stranded

As of 21:00 on July 6, 3 of the 12 melon-headed whales have lost their vital signs.
Of the remaining 9 whales, 2 have been released into the sea, 2 have been temporarily raised in Taizhou Ocean World, and 5 have been housed in one place.
Temporary rearing in a mariculture farm
.

The 12 whales and dolphins were initially considered to be pilot whales, but after being identified by experts on the afternoon of the 6th, they were confirmed to be melon-headed whales
.

So, how should the species of these cetaceans be distinguished? Why are they stranded? How to rescue and deal with it?

At about 9 pm on July 6, Tang Wenqiao, director of the Fish Research Office of Shanghai Ocean University and professor of the School of Fisheries and Life Sciences, visited the Douyin live broadcast room of The Paper to answer the above questions
.

Tang Wenqiao believes that the stranding of the melon head whale may be caused by the lack of time to retreat in time, but the on-site treatment is generally very professional, which also provides a model for the possible future rescue of other coastal cities; for whales that have no vital signs.
Dolphins may be collected as specimens for further scientific research.
It is also reasonable for melonhead whales to be placed in places such as the ocean world.
However, it is also necessary to pay attention to the diet and behavior habits of melonhead whales in time.
After confirming that they are in good condition, It can be put back into the sea in time
.

[Dialogue with Tang Wenqiao]

[Dialogue with Tang Wenqiao]

The Paper: The identity of the 12 whales and dolphins was controversial at the beginning.
It was said that they were pilot whales.
They were finally confirmed as melon-headed whales at the scene.
How do I distinguish melon-headed whales?

The Paper: The identity of the 12 whales and dolphins was controversial at the beginning.
It was said that they were pilot whales.
They were finally confirmed as melon-headed whales at the scene.
How do I distinguish melon-headed whales?

Tang Wenqiao: Some wild cetaceans are similar in form, and it is really difficult to confirm at the beginning
.

However, the characteristics of the melon-headed whale are quite obvious.

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: This time 12 whales and dolphins were stranded in large quantities.
Can you predict which direction they came from and why they stranded in Taizhou?

The Paper: This time 12 whales and dolphins were stranded in large quantities.
Can you predict which direction they came from and why they stranded in Taizhou?

Tang Wenqiao: From the perspective of whales and dolphins, this species is relatively large.
They mainly live in tropical and subtropical waters with higher temperatures
.

I guess they may be from the Pacific Ocean to the East China Sea, and then to the waters of Taizhou

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: In view of the cause of this large-scale stranding, there are predictions on the Internet that it may be a malfunction of the navigation system, a collective suicide, a parasite in the brain, or sound wave interference
.

What do you think is the reason?

The Paper: In view of the cause of this large-scale stranding, there are predictions on the Internet that it may be a malfunction of the navigation system, a collective suicide, a parasite in the brain, or sound wave interference

Tang Wenqiao:

In addition, the East China Sea is currently banning fishing, there are no fishing nets, human interference has been reduced, and the activities of the melon head whale have become more free and wider, which may also be the reason why it is stranded here
.

Hundreds of rescue forces were rescued at the scene

The Paper: Some experts pointed out that there was a problem with pulling the dorsal fin and tail of whales and dolphins during the on-site rescue
.

Do you think the rescue method at the scene is accurate? In the future, in similar situations, how should we better rescue whales and dolphins on the spot?

The Paper: Some experts pointed out that there was a problem with pulling the dorsal fin and tail of whales and dolphins during the on-site rescue

Tang Wenqiao:

But pulling the tail does have a problem.
In two respects, one may cause damage to whales and dolphins, and the other may be dangerous to people.
If the tail hits, it may hit the human body.
Therefore, this action should be avoided
.

The Paper: For whales and dolphins, should the follow-up rescue return directly to the ocean, or is it better to put it in the aquarium?

The Paper: For whales and dolphins, should the follow-up rescue return directly to the ocean, or is it better to put it in the aquarium?

Tang Wenqiao: Generally speaking, it should be put back into the sea in the end, because artificial reproduction of whales and dolphins is very difficult, and they are not adapted to artificial environments
.

However, I don’t think there is a problem with raising it in the aquarium and other places in the early stage.

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: Why can't the whales and dolphins be put back into the sea directly at the scene?

The Paper: Why can't the whales and dolphins be put back into the sea directly at the scene?

Tang Wenqiao: We can compare it to people, like a person who falls down and has to check the wound before continuing to walk.
The same goes for whales and dolphins.
They need to be properly raised and watched
.

Of course, there are also large whales and dolphins that are more than ten meters in size.
If possible, the small ones should be checked first, the good ones should be put back, and the bad ones should be rescued
.

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: At noon on July 6, the relevant person in charge of the Marine and Fisheries Law Enforcement Brigade of Linhai City, Zhejiang Province said that deep burial measures may be taken for dead cetaceans.
Do you think this approach is appropriate? (After the live broadcast, the reporter learned from related parties that the three dead cetaceans have been cryopreserved
.
)

The Paper: At noon on July 6, the relevant person in charge of the Marine and Fisheries Law Enforcement Brigade of Linhai City, Zhejiang Province said that deep burial measures may be taken for dead cetaceans.
Do you think this approach is appropriate? (After the live broadcast, the reporter learned from related parties that the three dead cetaceans have been cryopreserved
.
)

Tang Wenqiao: The death of the whales and dolphins is unfortunate, but I think it's a pity that they are buried and rotted
.
Melon-headed whales do not appear frequently in the waters of our country.
These three Melon-headed whales have just passed away, and they are actually rare specimens that can be obtained
.
And it’s not complicated to make such a specimen, and we will take it seriously in the process of anatomy.
Making a specimen of bones and a specimen of skin may play a role in the subsequent protection of organisms, understanding of biological habits and other scientific research fields
.

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: Through this incident, what warning can be given to us humans?

The Paper: Through this incident, what warning can be given to us humans?

Tang Wenqiao: At present, such a large number of cetaceans and dolphins are rarely stranded in our country, but as our country's ecology is getting better and better, and biodiversity is more and more protected, we may usher in more cetaceans and dolphins.
Strandings may also increase
.
The overall rescue capability should also be improved.
The officials and people in Taizhou have provided us with a good model.
They are timely and professional
.
So our other coastal cities, for small or large cetaceans, should also make plans for rescue methods and rescue tools, which can be used immediately after problems are discovered in the future
.

Tang Wenqiao:

The Paper: Is there any connection between the recent discovery of Bryce's whales in Shenzhen's Dapeng Bay and the stranding of melonhead whales in Taizhou?

The Paper: Is there any connection between the recent discovery of Bryce's whales in Shenzhen's Dapeng Bay and the stranding of melonhead whales in Taizhou?

Tang Wenqiao: The difference between these two types of whales and dolphins is very big, but I personally think that this also proves that the coastal marine life is becoming more and more abundant
.
The Brandt's whale has been spotted in Shenzhen Dapeng Bay for many days.
The fact that it has not walked for a long time indicates that it has something to eat, which proves that the coastal ecological environment is improving
.
Stranding is of course a bad thing, but if it is purely a discovery of melonhead whales, then it is really a good thing
.

Tang Wenqiao: