WHALES INTENT ON SUICIDE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 15

WHALES INTENT ON SUICIDE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

GRASSY KEY (Florida), August 15

Florida conservation agents became “cowboys” yesterday in an attempt to herd a large school of whales back into their deep water home.

The agents spent most of the day roping, herding and dragging a school of about 60 pilot whales from a beach where they seemed bent on dashing themselves to death on the rocks. “We just kept herding them, dragging them out to deep water—we herded them like you would cows or horses,” said a conservation agent, Lieutenant Edward Little. He and other agents used 1* patrol boats in their attempt to save as many of the whales as they could. Twelve Died But at least a dozen died as they flailed helplessly along a 15-mile stretch of beach. They were towed about two miles out to sea to keep their decaying bodies from becoming a health hazard. The whales began swimming ashore late on Saturday and

it was not until late yesterdav that the agents had them back 1 into deep water and had apparently convinced them to stay there. Lieutenant Little said the agents lassoed some of the , whales, which measured from 7ft to 16ft, and towed them ' tail first away from the beach. Came Back “But as soon as we got I them into deep water, they ; came right back, often beat- ’ ing the patrol boats back,” he said. Hundreds of spectators lined I the shore to watch the > attempt. Lieutenant Little said that i those which escaped being • battered to death on the rocks . did not appear to be badly injured, but he feared blood ; from their wounds would I make them a prey to sharks.