In the news

A total of five strandings in the UK now, making 17 dead sperm whales
around the various shores of the North Sea.

theguardian.com/environment/2­016/jan/25/fifth-whale-reported-washed-u­p-on-lincolnshire-beach

Very sad and as all of the carcasses will probably be examined for the
causes of the animals' deaths, we might get some fairly substantial
findings back.

I read recently that the strandings may not be because of human activity. Sperm whales are slow growing deep ocean hunters that eat squid. That the strandings may even reflect that this species is now thriving, after several decades of over fishing to near extinction. An international whaling ban was enforced in 1986, which Japan, Iceland and Norway are very keen to get lifted. The unprecedented coverage, public interest could be good for marine wildlife conservation / protection.