Beaching is the phenomenon of whales stranding themselves on beaches and they die there. This phenomenon is largely unexplained, although there are a few theories that attempt to provide some answers. One of them is that these cetaceans endanger themselves (put themselves in precarious situations) when they feed in shallow waters.

In February 2017, one of the biggest incidents of beaching happened on the shores of Golden Bay in New Zealand.

Rescue efforts are usually carried out in two phases.

1) wet phase
In this phase, rescuers in wetsuits get into the water to support the cetaceans and keep them upright. When the tide comes in, these stranded creatures are floated off. In addition, the rescuers also prevent the mammals from re-stranding by making a human chain and, thus, forming a barricade.
   
2) dry phase
This phase of rescue is carried out when a whale is fully beached. Making sure that they do not get hit by thrashing tails, the rescuers prevent the cetaceans from drying up by covering them with damp bedsheets. Additionally,  the rescuers also pour water on the body of the mammals. As they do so, they ensure that water does not get into the blowholes.

See also
whales
buoyant force
 

Fenomena ini belum lagi difahami dengan lengkap dan mendalam. Satu teori menyatakan bahawa paus membahayakan diri apabila mereka mencari makanan dalam air cetek.

Salah satu kejadian paus terdampar yang paling besar berlaku di Teluk Golden Bay di New Zealand pada bulan Februari, 2017.