Brothers from the Coast Guard measure the remains of whales and dolphins.
The remains of three dolphins were found stranded in the Shiti waters of Fengbin Township, Hualien County within 24 hours. The 82nd Brigade of the Coast Guard immediately rushed to the scene after receiving the notification from the public. Zhang Qiming, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Cetacean and Dolphin Association, who took samples at the scene, said that it was indeed unusual to find the remains of three cetaceans at the same place at almost the same time, but he was not sure whether it was related to the earthquake.
3 The remains of the whales and dolphins were found quite close to each other. Zhang Qiming said that one of them was located on the coast outside Shiti Scenic Area, and the other two were found by the public near the Rendingshengtian Monument about 2 kilometers to the north.
Zhang Qiming said that the three dolphins were all relatively old male patterned dolphins. They died about 3 to 4 days ago. The bodies were swollen and decayed. After inspection by on-site personnel, it was found that there were no obvious injuries and there was nothing in the stomach pouch. The cause of death could not be confirmed at present, so the teeth and some specimens had to be collected for testing. The bodies of the whales and dolphins were also handed over to the coast guard brothers for burial on the spot.
In the past, Taiwan received an average of 50 to 60 reports of dolphin strandings every year, and last year there were about 69. Zhang Qiming said that it is not unprecedented that the remains of three dolphins were found in the same place at almost the same time, but the cases are very rare and can be said to be quite serious. rare.
Zhang Qiming said that judging from the degree of decomposition of the cetacean remains, it took about three days to die. Looking back from the time of discovery, the time of the cetacean's death by stranding is quite consistent with the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred in Kumamoto, Japan on the 14th, and the remains were all There was no obvious trauma, so it was possible that the cetaceans were stranded and died due to the earthquake. Since no direct evidence was found, he did not dare to say whether there was a direct relationship between the two.
The remains of whales and dolphins were found floating in the sea along the coast outside Shiti Scenic Area.
Brothers from the Coast Guard worked together to fish the whales and dolphins ashore.
