It seems pilot whales always travel in pods and follow their leader..and, if he/she..beaches for whatever reason..the rest of the pod follows. They are very devoted to each other and, I have been told, should you get them back out to sea they will often/usually turn back to join the others. Very sad to see but inspiring to see that devotion these days.
As a kid I lived in the Falkland Islands and I remember several pilot whale beachings on the large sand beach nearby. Maybe shelving sand beaches are hard for them? Anyhow I also recall that it is very difficult to get the survivors to head out to sea even if they still seem healthy. This despite vigorous efforts by the people living nearby. It was always a sad day to see them.
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