REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDA ACEH -- Hundred of locals reported that a pack of whales was stranded few miles off the Ujung Kareung Beach, Aceh Besar District, an official stated here on Monday.
The whales were stranded in the shallow waters since Monday morning near the Transportation Ministry's Marine Education Training Center, according to some residents.
"Some eight out of the 10 whales were seen stranded. We could only see half of their fins. The whales continue to move their tails," Muhammad, a local, informed the press.
The whales are 10 meters in length.
Officials and residents try to evacuate whales stranded few miles off the Ujung Kareung Beach, Aceh Besar District, on Monday. Antara
Meanwhile, Ricky Wahyudi, a military officer posted in the district, said the authority received the report at 10:10 a.m. local time.
"When we visited the beach, the whales were seen about a mile off the beach. Since the animals are moving their fins, the whales are now seen only few meters off the coastline," Wahyudi remarked.
According to Wahyudi's observation, the two injured whales were spotted. However, he had yet to find the details.
Residents approach sperm whales that were stranded few miles off the Ujung Kareung Beach, Aceh Besar District, on Monday. Antara
On a separate occasion, Teuku Nurmadi, chairman of the Aceh Small Islands, Coasts, Fishery, and Maritime Affairs Office, said based on an initial probe, the animals are part of the sperm whale family.
"These animals live in packs. When a single member of the pack swims to the beach, the others will follow, and (they are) found stranded here," Nurmadi noted.
He further explained that the whales are rarely stranded. Hence, the pack might have got stranded during migration.
"We do not yet know the origin of these whales, either their destination or the migration route," he stated, while adding that the authority has yet to examine the wounds on some animals as well as the nature of the injury.
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