BKKPN ensures 21 pilot whales stranded in Rote Ndao are dead

KUPANG - The Kupang National Water Conservation Area (BKKPN) ensures that as many as 21 pilot whales have died stranded on Mbadokai Beach, Deranitan Village, West Rote District, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

"In total, there were 21 dead stranded," said Head of BKKPN Kupang Imam Fauzi, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 10.

He said this was related to the development of a number of pilot whales that had been stranded since Monday (9/3) night in the area.

Imam said that in total there were 55 heads stranded on the coast. Of these, 34 heads returned to the shallow sea.

The team from the Kupang BKKPN, according to him, was already at the location and identified a number of whales and confirmed that the whale was a pilot whale.

"Since this afternoon until now, the process of burying the dead whale continues," he added.

The dead pilot whales were stranded in various sizes. But the longest one was 5.1 meters in length while the shortest one was 2.4 meters.

Currently, he added, the data collection process is still being carried out, there is a possibility that the number will continue to increase.

Meanwhile, to determine why the whales were stranded, he said whale samples had been taken by veterinarians for further examination.

He said that although there were about 55 stranded whales, no residents caught and consumed the meat. This is because the community has understood that the mammal is protected.

The stranded whale at the location was actually an interesting spectacle for the local community.