Cetacean Strandings in South Australia with Necropsy Data, 1881–2008

1078 records of cetacean strandings in South Australia spanning 1881 to 2008. The data includes necropsy results for 315 records and documents 31 species, with anthropogenic circumstances accounting for 42% of deaths where cause was determined. Parks Australia provides this record to highlight research relevant to Australian Marine Parks.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal stranding patterns based on the documented increase in records after 1970 and seasonal trends for specific species groups.
• Investigate causes of death based on the necropsy program results, which assigned circumstances to 315 records.
• Identify geographic hotspots for strandings based on the description of locations related to upwelling and reporting effort.
• Study species diversity and discovery rates based on the 31 recorded species and the potential for at least five additional species.
• Correlate stranding events with oceanographic or climatic conditions as suggested for future research in the description.

Strengths

• 1078 records providing a substantial long-term baseline.
• 31 species documented, including 9 mysticetes and 22 odontocetes.
• 315 records include necropsy-based circumstances of death, with anthropogenic causes detailed for 42% of those.
• Temporal coverage spans 127 years (1881–2008), allowing for trend analysis.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is known (1078), but specific column names and data structure are unknown.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to stranding reporting effort, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

Parks Australia, referencing a source publication.

Collection Method

Long-term monitoring and necropsy examinations of stranded cetaceans.

Time Range

1881–2008

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-15 02:53:35.844843; freshness should be verified.

Geography

South Australia