マッコウクジラが座礁して死ぬ

　…と言うのがニュースになるのは、このマッコウクジラが海水浴客があつまるビーチ近くに迷い込んでしまったから。なので、このクジラのところまで泳いでいってタッチする遊びが…あのなあ…。

BBC Australian swimmers approach sperm whale 'dangerously close' to shore 10 Dec 2023

　流石に当局から警告を受けた模様。

　結局、そもそも年齢がいっており、人間でいえば「死に場所を探す」状態だったようで。普段は深い海に生きてるマッコウクジラがこんなに太陽にあてられて、やけどするやら―の状態だったみたい。水をかけたりどうにか海へと導こうとしたりしたが、まあ、死亡。サメ除けの意味もあり、陸に埋める方針とか。

BBC Whale filmed swimming with Australian beachgoers dies after stranding 12 Dec 2023　By Tiffanie Turnbull

「A sperm whale filmed swimming among people at Western Australian beach has died after becoming stuck on a sandbar.

Wildlife officers had spent several days trying to guide the elderly whale - which was injured and severely sunburnt - back to deeper waters.

Swimmers were pictured stroking the 15m (49ft) mammal on Saturday while it was still alive, prompting experts to warn of dangers to both it and humans.

The whale's carcass will now be removed to minimise shark risks.」

「The largest toothed whale in the world, sperm whales are deep sea feeders and rarely spotted near shore. 」

「Authorities closed the beach as they tried to save it. Rescuers sprayed the animal with water to minimise its blistering and sunburn, but it was too weak to return to sea and deteriorated further before dying on Tuesday morning.」

　深海の栄養分を陸上近くに持ってくる、そんな自然の摂理・循環の一環なんでしょうね、きっと。