whale and dolphin beachings revisited

Well, what can I say? Following my blog - Whale and Dolphin Beachings – Why Oh Why? - the authors of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy informed me that their website recorded its highest ever number of hits in one day – which is great.
 
However, it appears that, for many of you, my theory proved troubling – radical, in fact. So I am now elaborating on my original blog using some of my experiences from my time as the head dolphin trainer for a leading leisure company.
 
As I originally stated, many people blame the unexplained cetacean beachings on sonar malfunction, thought to be caused by submarine activity, wind farms and noise pollution from oil rigs, etc - factors that could indeed be accelerating the phenomenon.
 
But I ask you all to remember that the above suspects are relatively new additions to the equation. This intrusive technology wasn’t around to pollute our seas hundreds of years ago … which brings us back to the fact that cetacean beaching is nothing new.
 
So I again find myself venturing into rough seas.
 
I firmly believe that Atlanteans have a trigger instinct running through their psyches – a program that swings into action when hearts and minds are broken, and life becomes intolerable. Something pen trainers call a mind-set, which, once initiated, is difficult to reverse.
 
I have personally seen this mind-set in action in both training pens and commercial dolphinariums. It usually takes the form of the dolphin or whale purposely refusing to eat, which always results in traumatic force-feeds.
 
I’ve also witnessed a dolphin ramming the side of her pool in an attempt to end her life.
 
So, with this in mind, I again ask you the question: why do cetaceans beach?
 
Thus far, science has been unable to give a definite answer. Perhaps spirit can.
 
David Capello, Ex-dolphin Trainer