Two Beaked whales die in Taiwan and Argentina. Update: 20251223 Japan

2025, December 16. Argentina, at San Clemente del Tuyú. A beaked whale (Ziphiidae) stranded on the beach. Rescuers tried to refloat the animal however it was found lifeless the next morning. Preliminary necropsy results revealed pneumonia and a high gastrointestinal parasite load, likely causing its death. The stranded whale was a juvenile male, 4.32 meters long and weighing about one ton. Rescue was complicated by low visibility and the whale’s repeated circular swimming pattern, typical of cetaceans in poor health.

2025, December 17. Taiwan, Xiaoliuqiu. Shanfufu Fishing Harbor. Beaked whale, about 4 meters long at a depth of 12 meters underwater. The cause of death is currently unknown, but fishing gear entanglement is likely the cause. 

Update: 20251223. 2025, December 21. UK, Cornwall, Mount's Bay region, Marazion. Cuvier's beaked whale washed ashore in advanced state of decomposition. Muscle and skin samples were taken for genetic testing two teeth to go for Isotope examination.

2025, December 23. Indian Ocean, midway between Mauritius and Port Mathurin. Two Blainville's beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) were reported dead on the 19th. Both were found dead at sea and imaged at the side of a fishing trawler. They were not caught in trailing gear, and COD is unknown. No injuries were observed externally. It came after a large 6m long Layard's beaked whale was observed the day before with the same observation outcome. Over two dozen beaked whales observed dead in 2025 so far in southern Indian Ocean.

2025, December 5. Japan, Hokkaido, Shihidaka. A 537.8cm female Hubbs’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi). Photo: ©Muroran Department of Public Works Management Mombetsu Branch.

  

Argentina

Taiwan

Japan

Large Fin whale dies in Bay of Biscay

2025 December 13. Spain, adrift off the coast of La Coruña. A large Fin whale, with an estimated weight of about 30 tons and about 25 meters in length, has been removed from the sea after appearing dead. Towed to Oza dock for disposal.  

2025, November 30. Bay of Biscay. Fireball. Travelling west. There were no reports of concurrent or delayed sound. I was just going to document this, without posting; however, it was the death of a large cetacean. I will update if a COD is found in the necropsy. 

Meteor Airburst over South Pacific Ocean

2025, December 16. South Pacific Ocean, between Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Chile. Airburst. Time: 20:58:12. Coordinates: (24.1S, 92.4W). Altitude: 25.0km. Energy: 9.6e10, or 290,000 kg/TNT. This is the 31st airburst of 2025.

Also watching two events. One in the North Sea on the 13th and the other in Western Australia on the 12th.

New Zealand stranding update after meteor

2025, November 29. New Zealand, east of South Island over the ocean. Long Duration Meteor. Time: 03.21. Duration: 15+ seconds. Travelling in a SW direction at 71.8 km/s. Height: (151 to 118km). See November 29th post. 

2025, December 10. New Zealand, SE South Island, Dunedin, Waitati, Blueskin Bay. A juvenile bottlenose dolphin was found stranded and refloated. The dolphin was approximately 600 metres from the water and alone.

2025, December 14. New Zealand, SE South Island, Oamaru. A dead Orca (Killer Whale) was located floating from shore in a moderate state of decomposition.  

Image: Oamaru Live Facebook

Alternate routes of the cachalot (sperm whale) in Indonesia after meteor activity

Indonesia, Bali. Multiple sperm whales have recently been spotted off the north coast of Bali, particularly near Pemuteran in Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency. Sightings are not unusual but have become more frequent in recent weeks. Whales often appear in pairs, though sometimes individually. Up to four whales in one day. Sightings occurred across several points, from Pemuteran to waters north of Bukit Ser. These sightings do not indicate a permanent migration route. Northern Bali waters are enclosed, with only one eastern access point, so whales are likely just passing through. More consistent migration routes are found in the Sawu Sea, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

February 6th in the Cerman Sea, there was an airburst. October 1st in Malaysia/Brunei, there was a meteor explosion, and 4 days later on October 5^th in West Java, another large sonic boom was reported.  

The meteor incidents themselves are not the primary cause; rather, it is the meteor streams that accompany these events. As discussed in previous posts, these streams—occurring on either side of the main event—can last for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even longer. Combine this with cetacean sensitivity, and they will reroute their passages.

This disorientation of habitat/migration could see an elevated risk of beaching events. 

Large and Long Fireball in New Zealand. Fireballs seen in UK, Ireland and Scotland

A number of bright fireballs seen from the 14^th of November to 25^th over water in UK/Ireland and Scotland region.

Also: Puerto Rico has seen two large fireballs recently, one creating a daylight sonic boom.

November 16. Puerto Rico, over Cabo Rojo. A fireball was spotted streaking across the sky.

November 23. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands. A very bright daylight fireball was observed across the skies as it disintegrated, producing a sonic boom.

I'm still watching Florida and The Bahamas for stranding activity after the Nov 11th airburst. The meteor exploded at 40+km height, 240,000 TNT/kg energy release, so this could still drive a mass stranding in future weeks.

New Zealand has continued to have fireball activity. Australia: Tasmania has been quiet, while Victoria has had some activity, but nothing out of the ordinary. Strandings in both countries have been single events. 

Update: I was writing this post when this came in from New Zealand. A long-duration meteor, 15+ seconds. The video is incredible: Aurora Australis (NZ) | If anyone else in the South Island had security cameras with motion detection running overnight, check your feed from 03.21am 29-11-25 | Facebook 

Trajectory Maps: Fireballs Aotearoa New Zealand. Facebook

This event is unlikely to have caused the displacement or stranding of cetaceans; however, a MAD (Marine Animal Disturbance) “watch” should still be noted for the region. Although the meteor remained at high altitude and disintegrated—similar to the “Portugal” incident—such occurrences generally appear to be non-events with respect to cetacean strandings. At present, I am unable to establish any definitive acoustic parameters associated with the event, though it is highly improbable that it produced audible signals detectable at the surface. The primary uncertainty stems from the difficulty in isolating and removing very low frequency (VLF) radio waves from the analysis. Nevertheless, incidents of this kind contribute incremental data to the developing meteor–cetacean stranding catalogue, and each documented case improves our understanding of potential correlations. A Watch and See Event.

Update: 20251130, At the same time as this event, a meteor was detected breaking up over Cook Strait. It was heading SW also. Height: (83 to 61km).

Two Beaked whales strand in the Philippines

Two Beaked whales have washed ashore in the Philippines today. There could be further individuals. Species to be determined.

2025, November 25. Philippines, Sitio Wawa, Barangay 1, Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro. A suspected pregnant cuvier beaked whale was found washed up on the beach. Signs of rubbish in the stomach.

2025, November 25. Philippines, Barangay Sta Lucia, Sablayan. 32 kilometres south of the event above is another Beaked whale, this one a male mesoplodon hotaula.

Three whale sharks dead in Myanmar

I'm not saying these meteor events are responsible for the whale shark deaths; it's just to show the activity. Is it coincidental, though? Meteor reports from Myanmar are not common. 

2025, November 16. Myanmar, Dawei Peninsula, Sin Htauk Beach. Three dead whale sharks. The Dawei Peninsula has been closed to foreigners for 6 years. The endangered species, measured about 28 feet long and the other two being over 10 feet long. One was female and two juvenile males (or females). Important note that all three whale sharks did not have any serious external injuries.

The Meteor Events:

2025, August 4. Thailand, Singsang Korat District. North of Khao Yai National Park. Fireball. People across the country reported a bright fireball with an accompanying loud sound tonight Aug. 3, 2025 around 16:56 (UT), approximately 23:52 and 23:55 on Sunday, 3rd August. Report: At first 23:53LT, it was seen as a red, orange light with a tail. Then it burned, changed to blue and disappeared. Duration: 15 seconds plus. Report: Witnesses reported seeing a large green light streak across the sky for about 10 seconds, travelling from the east, followed by a loud, explosion-like sound.

2025, August 8 and 13. Myanmar (Burma). Two large green fireballs appeared from the eastern sky. These two events were in the Laos, Myanmar and Thailand border region. I placed these in to be transparent on the meteor activity and to show that these two events were the only ones recorded in a year.

2025, October 26. Thailand, eastern and central regions. Fireball. Time: 00:27. Duration: 10 sec. According to media reports, people in Pattaya, Chon Buri, Rayong, Prachin Buri and Bangkok saw the moving yellow-orange fireball. A sonic boom was heard, and vibration felt 4 minutes after the explosion.

Southern Ocean Meteor Airburst

Another meteor airburst in this region at this time of year is not great for cetaceans. See the October 17 post regarding Orca deaths in Argentina.

2025, November 15. Southern Ocean, approximately 1500km SW of South America and 1300 km NW of Antarctica. Airburst. Time: 00:48:43. Coordinates: 62.2S, 94.7W. Altitude: 30.0 km. Energy: e = 10.5e10 and 0.32 or 320,000 kg/TNT. This is the 30th airburst of 2025.

Also, like other regions in the world, there has been a high influx of material coming into the UK/Eastern Europe region with corresponding strandings. There will be a delay in data collection, but I will update as soon as it becomes available.

Oregon whale stranding

2025, November 9. Oregon, Pacific Ocean off Westport. Fireball. Time: 01:31 LT or 09:26 UT.

2025, November 15. USA, Oregon, Yachats. A juvenile Humpback whale, live stranding. Reports that crabbing gear (fishing line) was cut away from the whale's upper body. I'm more interested in this event in case there are further strandings in the region. 

Florida, Gulf of Mexico and Australia see large fireballs

Update of Florida fireballs and a large event in Gulf of Mexico. 2025, November 9. Gulf of Mexico. Large Fireball. Witness from a ship or oil platform: Smoke trail glowing green. Witness: Mexico, Yucatan, Holbox, Quintana Roo. Time: Approx 9.15pm. A group of tourists witnessed the event. Whizzing noise heard.

2025, November 13. Victoria. Tallarook Ranges. Time: about 21:28:38 (AESDT). Large Fireball. Overland. Duration: 10sec. Travelling in a NE direction. Blue green and white in colour, Blue/Greenish tail, Green head and orange white tail. Broke up on decent (fragmented).  

Full Video: Australian Meteor Reports | Facebook

Meteor airburst off the coast of Florida

2025, November 11. Florida, North Atlantic, 40km east of Port St. Lucie and 100km NW of Grand Bahama. Airburst. Time: 17:39:51. Coordinates: 27.3N;79.8W. Altitude: 42.0 km. Energy: 9.3e10, e = 0.28 or 280,000 kg/TNT.

Also: 2025, November 11. New Zealand, South Island. Fireball. Overland. Travelling SW. Seen over Canterbury Region, Otago Region and West Coast Region. Time: around 09:10 UT or 22:10NZDT. Concurrent and delayed sound.

Meteor Map – Fireballs Aotearoa

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BV9LN9j5r/

Japan Minke Whale cluster

Three Minke whales stranded in the Hokkaido prefecture in 16 days. I'm awaiting data for other regions. 

2025, October 20. Japan, Tokoro-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido, Jounam Beach Beach. Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Location: 44.127234N 144.045590E. Length: 5m Gender: Female.

2025, November 2. Japan, Hokkaido, Mokoto Abashiri City. Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Location: 43.977015N 144.308199E. Length: 5m. Gender: Female.

2025, November 5. Japan, Hokkaido, Hamatonbetsu. Minke whale, (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Long-Lat: 45.130366N 142.396021E. In advanced decomposition. Body length:5.1m

Sex: U.

Florida and Bahamas at risk of strandings

A high level of atmospheric fireballs has been detected in the northern hemisphere. Florida, California, and the UK region have had above-average events. A watch should be noted for coastlines. 

2025, November 11. Fireball. The Southwest Florida sky in broad daylight at 12:39. It is shown over land in the lower state.

A mass stranding in Nauru, western Pacific

2025, November 9. Nauru, Micronesia, northeast of Australia, Menen on east side of island. A mass stranding of 6 pilot whales. All died and were buried by the authorities. There are reports that fish have also washed ashore. 

Report from Nauru Media News - NTV: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14WjftcFF6S/

Ionian Sea and California meteor events/strandings

I'm not too concerned about these events or linking them, just watching. 

2025, October 31. USA, California, Fireball. Travelling SW. Time: around 22:59PDT.  

2025, November 6. Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea. Fireball. Travelling SSW. Time: around 18:06 UT, or 19:15 LT. Only one report of concurrent sound, and it was fragmented. No strandings in the area as of post date 20251110.

2025, November 7. USA, California, Malibu. A species of Beaked whale stranded alive and was euthanized after failed attempts to refloat. 

2025, November 9. USA, California, at Tajiguas west of Goleta. A deceased whale in a skeleton state of decomposition. It's very deteriorated down to bone and blubber. There was also a deceased whale in this spot in December 2021. This could be an old stranding. 

Update 20251111. 2025, November 10. USA, California, Santa Monica. A dead whale washed ashore. Crews moved the roughly 20-foot carcass inland.

2025, November 7. Canada, British Columbia, near Lasqueti Island. A humpback whale has been found dead in the Salish Sea, the second confirmed humpback death in coastal B.C. waters in just over two weeks. The whale was identified through photographs as Polyphemus (BCZ0342), a 21-year old humpback known to migrate to Hawaii.

Dead Gray's Beaked Whale and the breakup of a meteor

2025, November 5. New Zealand, NE North Island. Fireball Breakup. A meteor dismantled on entering the atmosphere. Time: 13:34. Duration: 4:34 sec. Travelled NW and protruded into the atmosphere as low as 92km. The main object was sighted on camera moving over a distance of 237km. 

2025, November 7. New Zealand, NE North Island, Coromandel Peninsula, north of Tairua, Sailors Grave Beach. A Gray's Beaked whale washed ashore.

Other beaked whale stranding this week include 2025, November 7. USA, California, Malibu. A species of Beaked whale stranded alive and was euthanised after failed attempts to refloat. Also, 2025, November 8. Japan, Okinawa. A dead dolphin or Beaked whale is floating between Yagaji and Ojima.

Satellite image of dead whale and the prevention of whale strandings

Canada, Newfoundland, Clay Cove. Looks like a Sperm whale carcass floating near shore at 49°43'42.9"N, 56°41'21.8"W. Real-time satellite images could really change how we deal with whale strandings and prevention. Could you imagine AI tracking pods sending an alarm when one is close to shore?

Attempted/ongoing stranding attempt and dead cachalot on Chatham Island east of New Zealand

2025, November 4. Chatham Islands (Rēkohu). Near Stranding. Two large groups of Black Dolphins (Pilot whales) surrounded by a smaller species of dolphin. Pilot whales were mustered out of the bay by a boat. The whales were head bobbing which is a sign of stress.

Also on the same island: 2025, November 3. Chatham Islands. A 50 ft female Cachalot (Sperm Whale) stranded and died on the other side of the island. It died in the early hours of the 4th. 

Update 20251109: So far, no pods have been seen near the shore. Good sign. 

Image - Facebook: Kaingaroa School, Rēkohu-Wharekauri-Chatham Islands  

Because of the US Government shutdown, the information below is incomplete. I few bolides were detected after the July period; however, I assume there are more.

Large Meteor in Australia

After analysing data, a Marine Animal Disturbance Alert should be noted for the Bass Strait region and accompanying coastlines. The meteor has produced delayed and concurrent sound (VLF Radio waves). In one report, it has shut down surveillance cameras. The range of these waves could be approximately 70km. There has been a significant uptick in meteor sightings in the lower eastern region of Australia in the last few days; how far this extends into the Tasman Sea is not known. There have been a couple of larger events seen on the west coast of New Zealand. Therefore, the risk to cetaceans moving on migration routes during this period is high. 

I've had a few of these coastal sonic booms lately; one in Indonesia, the other in Malaysia and now this event. They are harder to analyse as a threat to cetaceans, however, they usually confirm wider base material coming in over a region, so it's better to be safe than sorry; therefore, be watchful for unusual cetacean behaviour.  

News report by WINNEWS: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18y7c596dQ/

2025, November 2. Victoria. Large meteor, Thunderball. Time: 16:43.

Sonic boom heard over an area of 5,026.55 square kilometers (km²).   

Seen over 400 km away to the NE in NSW.

Sonic boom heard at: Fernbank 16:45, Paynesville, Wiseleigh, Loch Sport, Bairnsdale (Tremor), Lakes Entrance, Orbost (to the west),

A significant tremor was picked up on seismic recording equipment in Buchan, 70km to the NE of the event.  

Seen: Myrrhee, 180km NE, Warragul, Wattle Point and Wiweira, Melton (Melbourne), Jindabyne NSW after 4pm, Nowra (NSW), Sale, Armstrong Creek (Geelong),  

Reports meteorites have fallen. A witness has stated her cameras froze at 16:43, the time of the event. 

Witness Reports: “It resembled a lightning strike hitting our home, the building shook and windows rattled.” “The blast had brought him and his neighbours all out onto the street. The boom had lasted for several seconds. It rattled the roof tiles, it shook the house quite a bit, It was massive, I think people came out expecting to see a plane crash. The impact had definitely come from above and sent a wave of pressure downwards.

Reports of a fire were unrelated to the meteor event. Officials are looking for meteorites in the area. 

Will update this page as Information comes in. For more information or if you want to report anything go to Australian Meteor Reports | Facebook. 

Infrasound at Kingston Tasmania, 570 km to the south. Could be consistent with sonic booms at separate heights in East Gippsland VIC (~460 km path) if these were heard around 1700 AEDT (faster arrival from lower altitude). Times in UT, location coordinates shown.

The sonic boom has caused a significant tremor. 

Mass dolphin stranding in Florida

2025, October 29. USA, Florida, Lake Worth Beach. A mass stranding of four pantropical spotted dolphins near the Lake Worth Pier. Two of the dolphins were already dead, but the two others were rescued.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission  

Fireballs in the region: 

2025, October 22. USA, Florida, North Atlantic. Fireball. There was a report of a sonic boom. Time: around 00:40 UT.

2025, October 27. USA, Florida, Central Overland. Travelling south. Large Fireball. Delayed and concurrent sounds were detected. The sound was observed on both coastal regions of the state. This event was widely observed by witnesses and captured on camera. 

Meteor Airbursts and their effect on cetaceans at the surface

Note: I removed the math from this to make it easier to read. I have placed the summary first, which covers the findings; however, read on if you want further information.

Summary: Whales at or breaking the sea surface face substantially increased risk from a meteor airburst compared with fully submerged animals. Surface exposure eliminates the large air–sea impedance loss for the portions of the animal in air, allowing the full airborne overpressure and impulsive loading to act on the blowhole, respiratory tract, and dorsal tissues. Open airways provide a direct coupling pathway for pressure impulses into pulmonary structures, and the impulsive loading of the middle/inner ear and soft tissues increases the likelihood of trauma or temporary/permanent auditory effects. Crucially, surface exposure also magnifies behavioral risk: a sudden, intense airblast can provoke a strong startle or panicked flight response while simultaneously producing surface jets or hydrodynamic forcing that physically displace animals into shallow water or drive them toward shore. Therefore, while large-scale hearing injury from airburst-coupled underwater signals remains uncommon except near energetic epicenters, the combination of direct airblast effects and behavioural consequences makes presence at the surface a significant risk factor for strandings.

If whales are at the surface when an airburst occurs, the risk goes up — sometimes substantially — because they can be exposed directly to the airborne blast (no −30 dB air→water penalty) and because the blast can act on the animal’s blowhole, lungs and sensory organs. Direct air exposure: A whale at or breaking the surface presents air-facing tissues (blowhole, rostrum, dorsal area) that receive the full airborne overpressure and impulse. There is no large impedance mismatch loss for those parts — the animal is effectively in the same medium as the source. Open airways: If the blowhole is open or the animal inhales/exhales at the time, the airway and lungs can be coupled to the airblast — increasing risk of barotrauma and blunt pressure effects. Combined loading modes: The animal may simultaneously receive (a) direct airblast loading of soft tissues and lungs, (b) an underwater pressure pulse on submerged portions, and (c) sudden surface motion (wave/jet) that can move animals onto reefs. Direct blast overpressure on tissues — can cause hemorrhage, tissue shear, trauma to lung and middle/inner ear if sufficiently large. Airway/lung coupling — an open blowhole or inhalation path lets the pressure impulse enter the respiratory tract, increasing internal pressure transients. Rapid vertical acceleration / surface jetting — an airburst over or near the water can launch surface waves, jets or water jets that physically displace animals or force them ashore. Startle / behavioral panic — an intense sudden air-noise and shock can trigger strong flight or grouping responses; boats, shallow bathymetry, or confusion can then cause stranding. Combined stressors — simultaneous geomagnetic, visual (bright flash), or social confusion increases probability of maladaptive behaviour. Blowhole & airway: Airblast through an open blowhole can transmit pressure into the lungs and lower airways; rapid positive/negative swings increase barotrauma risk. Middle/inner ear: Sudden pressure transients can damage hearing—even at lower levels—if the pressure waveform is steep and impulsive. Lung/air sac differences: Cetacean lungs and accessory air spaces are structurally different to terrestrial mammals; vulnerability to blast is not identical and is poorly quantified in the literature. Behavioral consequences: An intense airblast when the animal is at the surface is also the most likely context for a strong flight reaction (fast, disorganized movement) which can lead to stranding in shallow water. Hearing injury (TTS/PTS): still probably uncommon except very near a large airburst epicenter. However, surface exposure increases the chance relative to an entirely submerged animal because of direct pressure spikes to airways and ears. Acute barotrauma / lung injury: possible in high-overpressure scenarios (near epicenter; low altitude burst). The exact probability is unknown because cetacean-specific blast-injury thresholds are not well characterized. Behavioral/stranding risk: substantially higher when animals are at the surface because a strong startle + sudden surface motion + proximity to shore/shelf can combine to produce strandings.

Mass stranding in Canada, Nova Scotia

2025, October 22. Canada, Nova Scotia, Port Hood. 3 Pilot whales saved. The last mass stranding in the area was in 2023 when 11 pilot whales stranded on a rocky shore with 8 dying and 3 rescued.

Some historical strandings in the region this year include: 2025, August 4. Canada, Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy, Canning Aboiteau mud flats. A mass stranding of 13 Atlantic white-sided dolphins that were caught on tidal egress and were rescued. An 180 km west on 2025, September 27. Canada, Prince Edward Island, Pituamkek National Park Reserve. A mass stranding of three large sperm whales that are stranded off western Prince Edward Island's North Shore.

Mass stranding in New Zealand

2025, October 15. New Zealand, North Island. Fireball. Time: 20:58NZDT. Seen in Auckland, Bay of Plenty Region, Taranaki Region, Wellington Region. Travelling SW over Tasman Sea.

2025, October 15. New Zealand, North Island, east over sea, Coromandel. Fireball. Time: 12:23NZDT. East Coast of the. Pacific Ocean.

2025, October 20. New Zealand, Northland, Paenga Rehia / Twilight Beach near Te Paki. A mass stranding of 27 pilot whales. They were discovered on Twilight Beach (Paenga Rehia), about 11km south of Cape Rēinga, that is part of the popular Te Paki Coastal Track.

Update and Images to follow.

20251023: Twenty-seven whales died and were buried at location.