Rescue Effort Hopes To Rescue 100 Trapped Whales

June 9, 2008 11:56 p.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - An international rescue effort has been launched by conservation groups in an attempt to save almost 100 whales trapped in a bay north of Madagascar.

Experts are being flown from different parts of the globe following the deaths of an estimated 30 whales that have been stranded since the end of May.

Meanwhile, oil company ExxonMobil has suspended its seismic survey in the area until after the situation has been resolved. It has also denied any connection with the stranding of the melon-headed whales and its operation 51 kilometers away from the bay.

The majority of the whales swam through a narrow entrance into the bay.

Scientists are still puzzled as to what causes whales to get stranded or to run aground, although experts concluded that marine noise causes disorientation that leads to such situation.