Type D orcas are native to the Southern Hemisphere. Scientists are unsure of the reasons behind the beaching
A pod of rare orcas was recently found dead on a Chile beach. Scientists are not sure of the reason for their death or how they reached the beach, but signs of human involvement have not been found, according to the portal LiveScience. Photo from iStock for representation
Type D orcas (Orcinus orca) are a unique subgroup so different from other orcas that some scientists believe they may be a different species on their own. Photo from iStock for representation
Native to oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, they have rounded heads, curved dorsal fins, and little white patches close to their eyes. They were identified as a separate subgroup in the early 2000s. Photo from iStock for representation
This type of event has been seen before. In 1995, Type D orcas similarly washed up on a beach in New Zealand. Before this in November 2022, researchers at the southern end of Chile were informed of 8 washed up Type D orcas. This was near where a stranded female was found earlier in the month. Photo from iStock for representation
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