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In this study we present data on 46 strandings of Bryde's whales along the coast of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States, south-eastern Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stranding pattern of Bryde's whales in south-eastern Brazil. The results show a relationship with annual increasing of strandings in a 20 year period of data collection (1990–2010). No significant seasonal trend was observed among four seasonal categories, but most whales stranded during winter (July–September). Males stranded more frequently than females. There was a significant trend in strandings of sexually mature whales (>11.12 m; 53.6%), but juveniles (≤8 m; 21.9%) were also relatively common. The present work confirms that Bryde's whales are common on the south-eastern Brazilian coast. Some discrepancy in published results from sightings and our results on strandings (e.g. seasonal pattern) was observed and may be related to environmental condition and the presence of inshore and offshore populations with differences in life history and behaviour. No whales showed signals of impact caused by human interactions, despite the potential threats in the study area. Future studies comparing morphology with genetics are suggested to be carried out to elucidate the taxonomic status of the Bryde's whales in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

On 29 February 2011 a strap-toothed beaked whale Mesoplodon layardii stranded in the mouth of the Pyin Sa Lu and Thaung Du rivers bordering the northern Indian Ocean in Myanmar at approximately 16°N of the equator. This stranding occurred more than 5000 km from the normal distribution of the species in cold temperate waters below 35°S. Mesoplodonts are the most poorly known of all cetaceans; however, due to the large number of documented strandings and the species' distinctive appearance, the distribution of strap-toothed beaked whales is probably the best known of the genus. For these reasons, the Myanmar stranding is believed to be an anomalous extra-limital occurrence rather than an extension of the species' normal distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Large whale strandings have always been intriguing to people through the centuries. The size and strangeness of these events always attracted popular attention and were, later on, a source for food, oil and other products. Our goal was to document species occurrence over time along the mainland coast of Portugal through the use of historical records as they can provide useful information on cetaceans’ species. A total of 38 historical records from the 16th to the 20th Centuries were collected from several Portuguese institutes and personal archives. Results show an increasing awareness of the scientific importance of strandings reflected throughout the years in number and in the detail of the strandings. The most common stranded species recorded was Physeter macrocephalus followed by Balaenoptera physalus. Even though historical stranding records are sparse for mainland Portugal, the information gathered indicates a high diversity of cetaceans. We also addressed the evolution of the historical records in aspects such as in number of records, description detail, pictures’ content and scientific accuracy. We were able to establish relationships linking strandings, local fishing communities, the general public, and particularly the contribution of early 20th Century zoologists. Results indicate that reports made by local fishing communities and the role of naturalists and science journals of the 19th and early 20th Centuries was of considerable relevance to the present knowledge about cetaceans, giving an important contribution to modern day cetacean studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

On 25 March 2008, a stranded Cuvier's beaked whale was discovered on the southern coast of the Moray Firth in north-east Scotland. Whilst strandings of the species are not uncommon in Scotland, the vast majority occur along the Atlantic coasts to the west of Scotland and Ireland. By comparison, records from the North Sea coast are notably absent, and this event is believed to be the first documented stranding of a Ziphius cavirostris from this mainland coastal region until now. Due to the severe state of decomposition of the specimen, no necropsy was made and therefore the cause of death could not be determined. However, this event may have been linked to a number of other beaked whale strandings in Scotland at this time. Whilst the North Sea region is considered to be an entrapment area for several species of oceanic whale, the Cuvier's beaked whale is rarely thought to travel far enough north to enter this trap. However, the phenology of these and other recent Cuvier's beaked whale strandings would suggest a possible northern range expansion for this species in UK waters, which may explain the increasing number of incidental events now being observed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

We document two recent beach strandings of whale sharks on both the east and west coasts of Australia and compare them to strandings of other species of shark and cetaceans. Historically, whale shark stranding is an unusual phenomenon in Australia. Although the reasons for whale shark strandings are speculative, their low frequency suggests they are unlikely to pose any considerable threat to the population viability of this species in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...