Japanese Officials Bury Hundreds of Beached Melon-Headed Whales

Researchers have launched an investigation after more than 100 dolphins, or melon-headed whales, beached themselves on Japan’s northern coastline on April 10. Locals discovered the whales, many of which have since died, on a 4km (2.5 mile) stretch of beach near Hokota, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Previously, dozens of melon-headed whales were found washed up on shore several days before Japan’s 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which that left thousands dead. The Japan Times dismissed speculation that the incident suggested an impending earthquake as “unscientific”. Credit: YouTube/coza4