Australia –
One humpback whale allegedly separated from the herd and lost in a full river crocodile. This news is quite shocking because this is the first time this has happened in Australia and rescue efforts are underway.
The whale was detected last week in the East Alligator River in Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu National Park. The sight of the whale swimming in the muddy part of the river attracts local residents.
“This is something that has never happened before in Australia. Very, very unusual,” said Carole Palmer, a local aquatic ecosystem scientist. It is not yet known whether the whale was the only one who got lost or if there were still friends because the river water was so murky.
This whale, which is about 16 meters long, and its flock are on an annual migration. It is believed that some of them turned in the wrong direction and lost their way into the river. Two other whales also got lost, but they probably made it out of the river.
Efforts are currently being made to get the whale back into the sea. Due to its large size, so far humpback whale it is unlikely that crocodiles will be threatened in the water. However, if trapped in a shallower area, there is the potential for it to be preyed upon.
Ships have been barred from passing through the area for the safety of themselves and the whale, who is expected to return to sea himself. But he was still in the deepest area of the river, about 20 kilometers from the ocean.
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The area where the humpback whale got lost. Photo: CNN— |
Park officials are considering several options for the whale to escape the crocodiles. It is possible that by emitting a sound from the ship that resembles a call from another humpback whale.
Scientists have yet to conclude why the humpback whale is misdirected. He and his flock were heading to Antarctica. Quoted detikINET from the BBC, humpback whales are in Australian waters to give birth and head to Antarctica in search of food.
“We are monitoring the situation and preparing an intervention plan if necessary. Humpback whale it’s not currently in a state of stress and the situation isn’t an emergency yet. The best case scenario is that it returns to the ocean alone, “said a spokesman for Australia’s Northern Territory (NT).
Watch Video “Swimming near a humpback whale, two swimmers injured“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(fyk / rns)
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