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Pilot Whales from Tenerife Text JAKUB BANASIAK Photos SERGIO DAVID HERNANDEZ HERRERA
MOST OF US HAVE HEARD OF THE DRAMA OF LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES BEING KILLED EN MASSE IN THE FAROE ISLANDS. IN "PERFECT DIVER" NO. 18 IN THE ARTICLE BY HANNA MAMZER ENTITLED: "RITUAL SLAUGHTER" WE COULD READ ABOUT THE TRADITION OF HUNTING THESE ANIMALS.
F
60
ive thousand km south of the
largest dolphins – killer whales. Which
vicinity of Tenerife and La Gomera in the
Faroe Islands, off the coast of
is a pity, because these massively built
Canaries provides them with great living
Tenerife, there is a population of
cetaceans with bulbous heads and
conditions.
short-finned pilot whales, whose safety
rounded dorsal fins are an extremely
These animals, sociable and accus-
and well-being seem to be diametrically
interesting species, especially in terms
tomed to the presence of humans, are
superior.
of behaviour and family life.
concentrated here in the strait separat-
Pilot whales, belonging to the delph-
Unlike their long-finned cousins, the
ing the southern coast of Tenerife from
inidae, are generally much less known
short-finned pilot whales prefer warm-
the neighbouring island of La Gomera,
than their cousins – bottlenose, com-
er waters. Their main foraging habitat
and their observation is possible at any
mon or spotted dolphins, and finally the
is squid-rich areas. The reservoir in the
time of the year.
