A preliminary report on the cause of the 12 whales (Ziphius cavirostris) seven found in South Cyprus and five in North Cyprus between the 9-13 February, washing up and dying on Cyprus shores has been announced following cooperation between the Department of Environmental Protection of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, the Veterinary Department of the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Turkish Marine Research Foundation, and the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute.
It has been asserted that the death of the whales was caused by undersea military exercises.
It was also noted that some of the whales were found dead, and some were alive, but despite all efforts, they could not be saved.
“According to the preliminary results of necropsy studies, it is believed that five whales that were found in North Cyprus died due to gas embolism caused by acoustic trauma. It has been long known that whales get affected by military exercises and seismic surveys all over the world. According to NAVTEX data, it is seen that there have been planned military shooting exercises in the eastern, southern, and western parts of the island where the whales were found in large areas on those days. All countries should cease their planned/unplanned military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, as there are concerns about the increase in the number of whales washing up on coasts.
A total of 12 whales (Ziphius cavirostris) washed up on the west-northwest of Cyprus Island. One in Paphos , one in Gialia, three in Pomos, one in Pachyammos, one in Pyrgos, and the north one in Gemikonağı, two in Gaziveren, one in Yeşilırmak and one in Erenköy.
Taşkent Nature Park (Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute), the authorized institution for whales washing up on shores in the north, intervened and carried out rescue efforts with the support of coast guards, the Lefke Municipality, the Güzelyurt Municipality, the Security Forces Command, the Police Headquarters, fishermen in the region and volunteers.
Unfortunately, the whales were either found dead or died shortly after. It was reported that 7 other whales found in the south had died the same way.”
