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Killer Whales98 Whales Beach themselves in Yucatan; 76 dead
Associated Press, June 2, 2000
Nearly 80 whales died after beaching themselves on Mexico's southeastern coast, officials said. A group of 98 whales worked their way onto the shores of a nature reserve in the Yucatan peninsula on Wednesday, Ramiro Rubio, the director of the reserve, said Thursday. Authorities launched a rescue effort and were able to bring 22 to deeper waters but 76 died, said Rubio. Officials were taking samples from the animals and the water to determine what might have led to the beachings.This particular species, known as false killer whales, is prone to beaching itself, Rubio said, who heads the Ria Lagartos Biosphere.Officials buried the corpses to prevent any damage their decomposition might cause to the ecosystem.
