Stranding of Cuvier’s Beaked Whales in Greece While Navy War Games Take Place Offshore

• April 1-2: Two adult Cuvier’s beaked whales stranded alive about 15 kilometers west of Ierapetra and local residents led the two whales to the open sea. Three other beaked whales (two adults and one juvenile) stranded alive located about two kilometers west of Ierapetra. Port authorities and local residents led the youngest and one of the adult whales to the open sea. The remaining adult whale died and was necropsied to collect tissue samples. Necropsy revealed that this beaked whale was pregnant. Two beaked whales stranded individually approximately 2.7 kilometers and 500 meters west of the first pair and one other beaked whale stranded sometime thereafter. It is unknown whether these whales represent additional strandings or restranded animals.

• April 3 or 4: Single animal stranded alive and was refloated about 48 kilometers west of first strandings.

• April 5: Single animal stranded alive and was refloated about 48 kilometers west of first strandings.

• April 6: Single animal found dead on the beach about 48 kilometers west of first strandings.

Turkey

Crete

XX XX = Whale stranding site

XX

X

X XX = Approximate location of Noble Dina exercises