The generally recognized whale expert, Russian zoologist A. Tomilin, wrote that these animals would hide their natural secrets for a long time. And he is right: the phenomenon of mass suicide of cetaceans, sometimes thrown ashore in whole flocks, has not yet been solved.
It turned out that such phenomena are by no means uncommon. In 1598, a huge Atlantic sperm whale threw itself near the Dutch city of Leiden. Wriggling, he advanced twenty meters into the depths of the sandbank. Naturalists took advantage of this opportunity to measure the sea leviathan, and the townspeople - to taste cutlets made from its meat. In 1878, Norwegian scientists recorded the suicide of forty large whales in a corner of a fjord.
Systematic observations began just 60 years ago. The systems in them, however, are few, but there is one concrete conclusion: cases of suicide of whales in recent years have clearly become more frequent and more widespread: in 1990, 183 whales threw themselves onto the southeastern coast of Tasmania, and a year earlier near Tierra del Fuego - more than 800 killer whales! Such cases have been found on almost all continents, even on rocky islands in Antarctica. At the same time, some animals rush to the shore with great speed, as if wanting to end their suicide as soon as possible, while others get out onto the sand slowly with some kind of stupid obedience to fate …
What is it?
The explanation simply could not do without exotic hypotheses. Some scientists argue that at one of the moments in their lives, whales "suddenly have a genetic memory" reminding them that once, about sixty million years ago, they were land animals, relatives of prehistoric pigs, and … rush to the shore … Others it is believed that cetaceans are thrown onto land because of a sick or stupid leader. Such a "Fuehrer" will run aground, and the whole herd involuntarily gets into trouble. Scientists borrowed this opinion from whalers. No less fantastic is the hypothesis that organic substances-alkaloids enter the body of whales along with some fish, algae or plankton, making them intoxicated and causing a loss of orientation. However, all this was not confirmed after the autopsy of the dead animals. They were absolutely sober …
Some zoologists see the cause of suicide in the sudden blindness of animals, without explaining, however, the reasons for the temporary loss of vision. But vision is far from the most important organ of orientation in cetaceans. Other scientists are trying to explain the fatal phenomenon by disturbances in the vestibular apparatus due to toxins secreted in the intestines of whales by parasites - nematodes and tapeworms. True, this theory was refuted by Canadian biologists: according to their observations, sick whales with nematodes in the intestines and worms in the liver go to their traditional cemeteries in the ocean, dive into the depths and die there …
A different version is defended by Greek, Italian and American zoologists. From the experience of autopsy of suicide whales, they prove that the immune system of cetaceans is weakened by industrial pollution and viruses that have not been seen in their bodies before. This view is also supported by Mexican scientists. In the intestinal tract of whales that voluntarily committed suicide in the shallows, they found pieces of plastic bags. Marine animals mistook them for jellyfish and "earned" indigestion.
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Studying the subcortical structures of the brain of whales killed on the shore, the American biologist F. Wood found evidence of serious cellular disorders. In his opinion, stress in whales can be caused by dirty waters, bright lights and any other unusual phenomena such as particularly strong storms or encounters with deadly enemies.
Danish professor D. van Heel believes that a nervous breakdown in cetaceans occurs in shallow waters with a muddy bottom and muddy water. In such an environment with suspended particles, the whale's echolocation apparatus malfunctions, the turbidity confuses them, they get nervous and rush about. Heel is convinced that, having lost orientation, the whales are thrown ashore in a panic search for depth …
The harmful effect of electromagnetic smog, which negatively affects both humans and all living things, is not excluded. Radio waves of various frequencies may well disrupt the normal action of the cellular brain structures responsible for orientation in water. Recently, a large flock of predatory killer whales stormed off the coast of West Africa. As the scientists recorded, the whales went exactly to the powerful airfield radar. The impulses from these installations could upset the whales' bio-navigation system. But how then can one explain the suicidal rush of killer whales to one of the islands of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, where there are no radars, no radio stations, or other sources of radio waves?
All hypotheses that exist today are criticized, controversial, hotly supported, and equally hotly rejected. There is no agreement in the camp of specialists …
We offer our readers a new unusual hypothesis developed by Viktor Golovko, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences.
In recent years, a wave of mysterious "suicides" of whales, as well as dolphins and killer whales, belonging to the order of cetaceans, has struck. A single listing of these catastrophic events can confuse even the most unbiased researchers. Let's name only the most recent ones.
In early 1987, two thousand dolphins washed ashore on the coast of Brazil. In Argentina, 835 killer whales were on the shore. In March 1989, 140 whales were stranded in southern Chile. There are dozens of similar accidents. What unites them is that many are repeated at the same place. In addition, very often females with their cubs end their lives by "suicide". The latest tidal wave of suicide in history is not the only one. Why is this happening? The question remains open for now, although attempts to explain the reasons for the mass "suicides" of whales have been known since the time of Plutarch mainly at the descriptive level. Over time, when analyzing this very complex problem, a scientific approach began to be seen. They tried to explain the cases associated with the death of whales: by the presence of traps formed off the coast due to the erosion of sand bars,cutting off animals from the sea; mental disorder of the leader, who in this state takes the whole herd to the shore; massive insanity of the whole herd; the influence of parasites on the hearing organs of animals and, finally, the failure of the sonar in cetaceans.
I want to propose my hypothesis, its essence, in short, is that the death of cetaceans occurs as a result of the interaction of their biomagnetic compass with the Earth's magnetic field. The presence of a compass in cetaceans is confirmed by the crystalline substance "Londonstone", which has magnetic properties, which was discovered by American scientists in the brains of dolphins (by the way, such a magnetic compass or its relics are present in birds, humans, and various animals). How do I imagine it? A whale's compass is a microscopic ferromagnet, most likely located in the head of an animal. It consists of ions or molecules of iron with high spin and orbital angular momentum. When the compass needle interacts with the external magnetic field of the Earth, it is magnetized in the direction of the magnetic field of the planet,and the arrow is located along the magnetic meridian in the North-South direction. The Earth's magnetic field acts on the arrow, which is a receptor in cetaceans that transmits magnetic field strength through neurons and synapses to the brain of animals. This ultimately determines the reflex activity that controls the coordinated acts of animal behavior.
The compass for each whale begins to form during the development of the embryo. The material for its construction is primarily bivalent and trivalent iron cations, which crystallize microcrystals with strong magnetic properties (ferromagnets) in the animal's body. Iron cations, along with calcium, phosphorus and other elements necessary for the construction of the skeleton and growth of the kitten, come from the mother.
The existence of a biomagnetic compass is supported by the fact that they have learned to make long routes quite accurately and purposefully - from summer pastures to winter huts and back. During such routes, the animal's magnetic compass reacts sensitively to the earth's magnetic field and, probably, works ideally only at certain values of the magnetic field strength. When encountering magnetic anomalies with a higher intensity, the magnetic needle is sharply indignant, which forces the animals to turn aside, while they lose orientation and, ultimately, may end up on land. In such cases, the behavior of the magnetic needle of an animal biocompass can be compared with the behavior of an airplane compass needle when flying over magnetic anomalies.
However, this hypothesis (it was presented in my article in the Znanie-sila magazine No. 9, 1990) seems to me not the only one. I will propose another one, which is based on the interaction of the vestibular apparatus of cetaceans with the gravitational field of the Earth.
The vestibular apparatus is an organ that senses changes in the position of the animal's body in space. It is part of the inner ear and consists mainly of two interconnected sacs (utriculus and sacculus) and three semicircular canals. The bags are filled with a gelatinous substance, in which the ottolite layer, consisting of lime formations, is located. Supersensitive statistical hairs (kinotsilin) are placed under the ottolith layer, which, even with a very weak effect of the gravitational field on them, instantly deflect. In this case, the mechanical movement of the hairs is converted into electrical signals, which, through the primary nerve fibers and neurons, enter the cortex of the animal's brain. The hairs can interact with the gravitational field according to the principle of a gravimeter device (a devicewith the help of which the differences in the acceleration of gravity are changed). These differences are calculated by changing the spring deformation or the angle of twisting of the elastic thread of the device under the influence of the Earth's gravitational field. In approximately the same way, the statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus of animals are deflected or twisted in the gravitational field of the Earth, depending on its tension.
In a normal gravitational field, the hairs deflect by a very small amount (millionths of a millimeter), generating weak electrical signals. And yet, such signals are enough for whales to properly orient their bodies and move in space. However, when cetaceans enter the gravimetric anomalies, where a sharp and stronger deflection or curling of the hairs occurs under the influence of a high voltage of the gravitational field, higher electrical signals are generated in the vestibular apparatus. They enter the central nervous system and cerebral cortex of the animal and cause severe pain in it, which, in turn, leads to mental disorder, fear and loss of orientation. Naturally,the animal seeks to get rid of all this terrible nightmare and somehow get off the gravitational anomaly. In such a situation, whales can very easily end up aground or on land.
The Earth's gravitational field from the poles to the equator changes by only 0.5%. Nevertheless, the sensitive vestibular apparatus of whales picks up such small changes, which allows them to confidently navigate in the ocean according to the following scheme: pole - greater influence of the gravitational field; equator - less effect of the gravitational field. This allows cetaceans to make unmistakable routes from their winter quarters, often located near the equator, to summer pastures concentrated closer to the poles. In such conditions, the vestibular apparatus of whales operates flawlessly. But as soon as the animals find themselves within the gravitational anomaly, their vestibular apparatus immediately “rolls over” and brings the whales out of their normal state. Swims of cetaceans into complex labyrinths of geomagnetic or gravitational anomalies can lead to the death of both individual whales and large groups of up to one or even two thousand heads. Particularly tragic is the death of herds, represented by whales with cubs and pregnant females. This can be explained by the fact that such herds usually swim close to the coast and therefore have a greater chance of being trapped in coastal geomagnetic or gravity anomalies, which whales swimming far from the coast can freely bypass. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.and large groups of up to one or even two thousand heads. Particularly tragic is the death of the herds represented by whale women with cubs and pregnant females. This can be explained by the fact that such herds usually swim close to the coast and therefore have a greater chance of being trapped in coastal geomagnetic or gravity anomalies, which whales swimming away from the coast can freely bypass. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.and large groups of up to one or even two thousand heads. Particularly tragic is the death of herds, represented by whales with cubs and pregnant females. This can be explained by the fact that such herds usually swim close to the coast and therefore have a greater chance of being trapped by coastal geomagnetic or gravity anomalies, which whales swimming far from the coast can freely bypass. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also react accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.represented by whales with cubs and pregnant females. This can be explained by the fact that such herds usually swim close to the coast and therefore have a greater chance of being trapped in coastal geomagnetic or gravity anomalies, which whales swimming away from the coast can freely bypass. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.represented by whales with cubs and pregnant females. This can be explained by the fact that such herds usually swim close to the coast and therefore have a greater chance of being trapped in coastal geomagnetic or gravity anomalies, which whales swimming away from the coast can freely bypass. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.can go around freely. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.can go around freely. In addition, the tragedy can become more dramatic due to the fact that in babies in the womb, the magnetic needle or statistical hairs of the vestibular apparatus also respond accordingly to magnetic or gravitational anomalies and thereby increase the fear of mothers.
The presence of magnetic or gravitational anomalies in places of death of animals is evidenced by the fact. After the whales were thrown ashore, people quite often began to return them to the sea. In some cases it was successful, in others it was not. The whales stubbornly returned to the shore. This can be explained by the presence of anomalies in this area. When animals were removed outside the anomalies, they were rescued, but when they were released within the anomalies, they stubbornly returned to land. This version is also confirmed by the peculiar behavior of whales observed as they pass along the coast near the city of Point Loma in California. Rebuilding in tight groups in twos, in threes they float past the shore. This happens within three weeks. Such a march among emotional Americans was called the "Moby Dick parade." In this paradetaking place annually in December, hundreds of thousands of people are present, from the shore and boats, enthusiastically greeting their favorite whales. It can be assumed that this peculiar behavior of whales is due to the presence of complex magnetic or gravitational anomalies in this place. For many millions of years, whales have intuitively found narrow passages in which only small groups can swim. The most striking confirmation of the presence of geomagnetic or gravitational anomalies in places of animal death is the "suicide" of a herd of grind in March 1955 on the coast of Westray Island (Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland). The animals entered the strait between the two islands and then for some reason could not find a way out of it. Having swam into the strait from the north, the whales circled between the islands for about five days, although they could freely go both north and south. As a result, 66 grand were on the rocky coast of the island.
A map of whale suicide areas recommended for geological prospecting for minerals.
1 - the coast of Westray Island in Scotland, where 66 whales died in March 1955;
2 - the area of Point Loma (California), where magnetic or gravitational anomalies are possible, forcing the whales to suddenly rearrange the general formation into separate tight groups of two, three;
3 - the coast of Florida near Fort Pierce (USA), where in January 1970 250 killer whales were thrown onto land;
4 - at the beginning of 1987 on the coast of Brazil, near the village of Itcare, 2000 dolphins were thrown, mostly females with calves;
5 - not far from the resort of Mar del Plata (Argentina), 835 killer whales were on the shore;
6 - 140 whales landed on the shore in March 1989 in southern Chile, this is the fourth whale accident at the same location;
7 - 200 killer whales committed suicide near Mamre, southwest coast of Africa;
8 - the coast of the island of Tasmania, where at the end of 1988 200 whales were released;
9 - 7 whales stranded on the shore of Great Barrier Island;
10 - a herd of dolphins was thrown on the coast of Kyushu in January 1987, of which 135 individuals died. The next year, 30 more whales were also ejected there.
The connection between the deaths of whales and radioactive anomalies cannot be ruled out. When a living organism is exposed to radiation, the function of the vestibular apparatus is impaired. It is known that at high doses of radiation of five hundred or more rad (rad is the absorbed dose), there is a significant inhibition of the function of the vestibular apparatus, which leads to paradoxical reactions. As a result, the whales may lose coordination and end up on the shore, indicating that tragedies are sometimes repeated at the same place several times. It is this that indicates the presence of magnetic, gravitational or radioactive anomalies in these areas. So, in the Strait of Magellan, at the same place over the past few years, whales have committed "suicide" four times. But if the death of whales on their routes is indeed due to the presence of geomagnetic,gravitational or radioactive anomalies, then such anomalies should be considered as geological criteria for prospecting for mineral deposits (iron, nickel, chromium, titanium, diamond, tungsten, molybdenum, copper, etc.). In addition, gravity anomalies may indicate the presence of oil and gas, coal, saline and other structures in the places of their distribution. At present, about 130 areas of cetacean death are known, of which, in the first place, it is most expedient to identify 10 areas. The data obtained as a result of research work can help solve two problems at once - clues to the "suicide" of whales and the search for various minerals.diamond, tungsten, molybdenum, copper, etc.). In addition, gravity anomalies may indicate the presence of oil and gas, coal, saline and other structures in the places of their distribution. At present, about 130 areas of cetacean death are known, of which, in the first place, it is most expedient to identify 10 areas. The data obtained as a result of research work can help solve two problems at once - clues to the "suicide" of whales and the search for various minerals.diamond, tungsten, molybdenum, copper, etc.). In addition, gravity anomalies may indicate the presence of oil and gas, coal, saline and other structures in the places of their distribution. At present, about 130 areas of cetacean death are known, of which, in the first place, it is most expedient to identify 10 areas. The data obtained as a result of research work can help solve two problems at once - clues to the "suicide" of whales and the search for various minerals.obtained as a result of research, can help to solve two problems at once - clues to the "suicide" of whales and the search for various minerals.obtained as a result of research, can help to solve two problems at once - clues to the "suicide" of whales and the search for various minerals.