"Unfortunately the outcome for our pilot whales once they strand ... sandy beaches.Theories include that they are avoiding predators such as killer whales, or following a sick leader ashore.

an area of deep underwater canyons off western Australia’s south coast called Bremer Canyon becomes the preferred feeding ground for marine predators including sharks, pilot whales, beaked ...

In 2022, 230 pilot whales stranded further south on the west ... old age, injury, fleeing predators and severe weather.