More than 30 pilot whales that washed ashore on Ruakaka Beach in northern New Zealand returned to the sea thanks to the cooperation of local people and wildlife conservation teams. According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, hundreds of volunteers made great efforts to ensure the survival of the whales.
Although most of the whales were saved thanks to the extraordinary efforts of local people and conservation teams, some of them lost their lives. This tragic event once again raised the question of why whales washed ashore en masse. Experts who study animal behavior believe that such events suicide or a natural process? While trying to understand what is happening, the tragedy reveals some secrets in the natural world.
Maoris Held a Ceremony for the Lost Whales
It was announced that 3 adult and 1 baby whale could not be saved during the rescue operation. Whales that lost their lives, Maoris He was sent off with a special ceremony because he had cultural importance for the city. Following the rescue efforts, the beach was kept under constant surveillance to prevent the whales from washing ashore again. Department spokesman Joel Lauterbach praised the volunteers’ contributions, saying: “The love and dedication shown to these magnificent creatures was truly impressive,” he said.
New Zealand: Famous Beaches Where Whales Have Been Stranded
New ZealandIt is known throughout the world as a region where whales frequently beach themselves. More than 5,000 whales have washed ashore in the country since 1840. One of the largest incidents was recorded as a tragedy in 1918 when approximately 1,000 whales washed ashore on the Chatham Islands.
The exact reasons why whales are stranded are not yet fully understood. However, experts state that New Zealand’s coastal geography may be effective in this. Shallow and sloping beaches, as well as the protruding structure of the coastline, can cause pilot whales, which find their way by echolocation, to lose their bearings.
Do Animals Commit Suicide?
During the reign of Queen Victoria, strange stories about animals were frequently reported in the press in England. For example dog strangling itselfk, after losing their babies cat hanging itself from tree Or events such as ducks allegedly committing suicide were discussed. But how realistic are these stories? Do animals really commit suicide, or is this just an assumption made by humans?
Animals like humans may become stressed or depressed It is scientifically known. It is a controversial issue whether these mental states associated with suicidal behavior in humans lead to similar results in animals. Although it is known that some animals can exhibit behaviors thought to be unique to humans, there is no definitive answer as to whether suicide is one of these behaviors.
From Ancient Stories to Modern Knowledge
In 1875, an animal rights magazine mentioned a deer that allegedly jumped off a cliff to escape a hunter. However, with the advancement of medical knowledge about suicide in the 20th century, such stories diminished. Instead, lemmings heading towards the cliff Mass animal mortality events, such as mass strandings of whales or whales, are becoming more studied.
Italian psychiatrist Antonio Preti examined more than 1,000 studies conducted over 40 years and argued that claims that animals commit suicide are mostly an attribution of humans.
Causes of Mass Deaths
According to research, the mass migration of wild possums to the cliff is not a conscious suicidal behavior, but rather due to coordination problems experienced during a large migration. Similarly, whales stranding This usually occurs as a result of the sick leader directing his group to shallow waters.
Another factor that changes animal behavior is parasites. For example, the parasite called Toxoplasma gondii settles in the brain of the mouse, eliminating its fear of cats and turning the mouse into prey for cats. Similarly, some types of fungi can affect the brains of ants and direct them to deadly places. There is no conscious decision or suicidal intent in any of these behaviors.
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Unnatural Behavior in Animals
It is known that animals removed from their natural environment exhibit unusual stress-related behaviors. For example, it was claimed that a bear in a zoo in China killed itself after strangling its cub. However, this situation is explained as the bear exhibiting abnormal behavior due to the stress of captivity and extra pressure.
Similarly, captive killer whales in water parks show behaviors such as rubbing their backs and gnashing their teeth, suggesting they are responding to unnatural conditions.
Is Suicide Unique to Humans?
Some experts say that it is impossible to determine whether the behavior that led to the death of animals was intentional or not. Suicide is defined as “the act of deliberately ending one’s life” and it is stated that this requires the individual to understand his place in the world and the meaning of death. Humans are the only creatures aware of their own death; Therefore, suicide is thought to be a behavior unique to humans.
Fear is a basic emotion that enables animals to survive. It is not the fear of death, but the instinct to avoid danger that ensures survival. For example, zebras do not hang around lions and fish do not hang around crocodiles. This natural fear keeps animals away from danger.
Most experts argue that the fatal behavior of animals cannot be interpreted as conscious suicide. Since animals do not have the ability to make imaginative plans, suicide is considered a uniquely human behavior. However, animals’ reactions to stress and trauma can reach a level that can threaten their lives.
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