Around 230 pilot whales have stranded on the coast of the Australian island of Tasmania. But the chances of survival are poor, and most of the animals die. The authorities are now trying to save the lives of the surviving marine mammals.
About 200 pilot whales have died on a beach on Tasmania's west coast. Only 35 of the approximately 230 whales spotted on the Australian island the day before are still alive, local wildlife agency director Brendon Clark told reporters. The main focus now is to rescue and release these animals, he added.
The mass stranding of whales near Macquarie Harbor had alarmed animal rights activists. Aerial photos showed dozens of shiny black marine mammals lying along the beach at the waterline. Unfortunately, the death rate is high, Clark said. The surf on the unprotected beach puts a lot of strain on the animals.
Local residents covered the still living pilot whales with blankets for their protection and doused them with sea water. Some animals on the long beach tried in vain to free themselves from their plight on their own. On Monday, 14 male sperm whales died on a remote beach on Tasmania's King Island.
In 2020, 470 whales were stranded off the coast of Tasmania. More than 300 pilot whales died at the time - despite the efforts of dozens of volunteers to save the animals. The reason for these mass strandings is still unclear.
