More than 50 pilot whales were reported dead on Western Australia's Southern coastline in what experts believe is a case of mass stranding.
Reports were sent to officials on Tuesday morning that a large pod of pilot whales was seen grouped up roughly 150 meters off Cheynes Beach in the east of Albany. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA) confirmed on Tuesday night that it had conducted a response after the whales began to strand on the beach.
Pilot Whales Stranded in Western Australia
At least 51 of the sea creatures perished on Wednesday morning despite the help from a large number of volunteers trying to get the animals away into deeper waters. The DBCA is still hoping that they will be able to rescue another 46 pilot whales still struggling in the area.
In a statement, the agency said that Parks and Wildlife Service personnel were already working in partnership with registered volunteers and other relevant organizations to get the remaining 46 whales back out during the day, as per Australia News.
The DBCA also warned of a "range of hazards" in the response zone, which includes sharks lurking about. It added that the priority of the incident management team in the area is to ensure that the animals, staff, and volunteers are safe.
The potential dangers in the response zone include large, distressed, and potentially sick whales, sharks, powerful waves, heavy machinery, and other sea vessels. The team trying to get the sea creatures back into deeper waters includes veterinarians and marine fauna experts from Perth Zoo.
The phenomenon of whales stranding themselves near Australia and New Zealand is not uncommon. There were roughly 500 pilot whales last October that beached on New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands.
There were also reports in other areas of whales stranding, including one where 55 pilot whales washed up on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, a remote island in Scotland, according to DW News.
Mass Stranding Phenomenon
Several wildlife experts believe this behavior among these animals could indicate stress or illness within the pods. On the other hand, many others think whales go off track after feeding too close to the shore.
There are also speculations that the mammals try to follow pod-mates who stray into danger. Wildlife officials added that they had a team of experienced staff in the area equipped with specialized equipment.
Long-finned pilot whales live in large groups that could include hundreds of individuals that divide themselves into "close-knot pods" of roughly 10 to 20 whales. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that it was not unusual for the sea creatures to be seen huddled together.
NOAA added that pilot whales commonly display various active behaviors, including raising their heads above the surface of the water or lifting their flukes out and splashing them back down. The creatures are also regularly seen resting or logging at the surface in a chorus-line or stacked formation, said CBS News.
