Two Stranded Blue Whales Die In Lembata

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Oct 28 (Antara) - Two of the five stranded blue whales in the Waienga Gulf in Lembata District, East Nusa Tenggara, died and were later chopped up for consumption by the locals. Deputy Head of Lembata District Viktor Mado Watun stated here on Tuesday that the two blue whales had possibly died due to stress after they got trapped in the shallow waters of the Waienga Gulf. "For the past seven days, five whales have been stranded in the Waienga Gulf, and on Monday (Oct. 27) night, two of them died, perhaps due to stress," he reported. The two dead blue whales were 25 meters in length, smaller than the other three, which each approximately measure 35 meters in length. Currently, the officers and locals are making ongoing efforts to rescue and direct the stranded blue whales out of the gulf. "The government and the locals have been putting their best efforts to pull the whales in the high sea, but it has not yet worked," Viktor claimed. The joint team had also used dozens of ships owned by the government, local fishermen, non-government organizations (NGOs), and some foreigners, but the whales kept returning to the shallow waters of the Waienga Gulf. Despite the team`s rescue efforts, Viktor said the locals believe they need to carry out a traditional ritual to help the blue whales return to the high sea. "We plan to organize a traditional ritual soon in order to pray for the whales` return to the sea," he noted. Almost every year, one or two whales get stranded in the Waienga Gulf, and this year`s figure is the highest.