Entire whale pod perishes after beaching. - 14 Nov 2010  
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A pod of 33 mother and baby pilot whales succumbed after casting themselves onto the shores of Rutland Island in County Donegal of the Republic of Ireland. Dr. Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said it was one of the biggest such whale tragedies in the country’s history.

The cause of the beaching is not certain but is thought to be possibly related to sonar equipment used during naval exercises. This pod of whales is believed to be the same one sighted in late October off the west coast of Scotland, with organizations such as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals placed on alert for possible beaching due to observation of the whales’ labored breathing and other signs of distress.

Although there had been no reports of recent military activity, a spokesperson for the region’s Coastguard stated that several mass strandings of whales had also been linked to the use of naval sonar in the past.

We are deeply saddened by the untimely end to the majestic whales. Our prayers that human’s respectful interaction with the environment will protect these marine beings and all forms of life on our planet.During an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed her heartfelt concern for the vulnerable lives on the planet and urged for humanity’s greater consideration.

Supreme Master Ching Hai : We’re losing so many animals and plant species every day due to global warming already or due to other forms of carelessness. Who will be left to keep us company, to keep us calm and give us joy and happiness, inspiration and even healing power?

I just wish we could all join hands and make sure we can hold on to their irreplaceable presence forever. Physically, they suffer. Spiritually, they know the solution lies in humans’ hands and humans’ hearts.

The question is how will we choose to respond between the only two choices we have – compassion and life or killing and destruction? We should all pray that humankind will make the wiser choice of compassion and life.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8116338/Thirty-three-whales-die-after-becoming-beached-
off-Irish-coast.html

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/naval-sonar-blamed-for-33-
whale-deaths-in-donegal-14998168.html