
Link to blog post http://environmentaleducationuk.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/whale-strandings-pilot-whales-in-new-zealands-golden-bay/
The Cetacean strandings project
Every year, between 350 and 800 whales, dolphins and porpoises wash up on British shores. Most are dead, but some are still alive. The Museum is responsible for monitoring these strandings. Since the Cetacean strandings project started in 1913, more than 25,000 animals have been recorded.
Museum scientists study the remains of dead stranded cetaceans to learn more about their biology. Their investigations reveal how many cetaceans strand in Britain each year, what species they are, where and when they strand, and the age and sex of the animals. They also research animal behaviour and uncover causes of death.
The Museum’s strandings project is part of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP). The data our scientists compile is used by other researchers, government agencies, conservationists and animal welfare groups. The information they provide is vital to increasing our understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoises, and conserving them in the future.
The Cetacean strandings project is one of the longest-running scientific investigations of its kind. It has generated a wealth of crucial information about these captivating marine mammals.
External Link : http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/groups/nhm-cetacean-strandings-project/index.html
Related articles
- Whale strandings : pilot whales in New Zealand’s Golden Bay (environmentaleducationuk.wordpress.com)
- The CSI team of the whale world (guardian.co.uk)
- Nearly 60 Dolphins Stranded on Cape Cod (prnewswire.com)
- Bangladesh bid to save dolphins (bbc.co.uk)
- More pilot whales die from beachings in New Zealand (theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com)
- Thomas White: “Whales are people, too” (sentientdevelopments.com)
- What species are you most fascinated by? (greenanswers.com)

