More than two dozen pilot whales have died amid a mass stranding on a beach near Dunsborough on Western Australia's coastline.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Four pods of up to 160 whales were spread across 500 metres of coastline at Toby's Inlet on April 25, according to the state's Parks and Wildlife Service.
By the end of the day 28 of the long-finned pilot whales had died.
Regional wildlife officer Pia Courtis said the other whales had moved further offshore and had travelled north.
"There have been no further sightings of the pod this afternoon, which is good news," she said.
"The spotter plane will continue to monitor the area during daylight hours, but we are hopeful that the pod will not return to the shallower water."
Samples and data were collected from the deceased whales before they were removed from the beach by scientists and veterinarians, she said.
"This data will hopefully help scientists understand more about the species and their behaviour."
It came after wildlife officers, marine scientists and veterinarians converged on the beach and were assessing the conditions of the stranded whales.
Two hours after the stranding was first reported the public were asked to keep clear of the site with locals rushing to help.
"While we appreciate the strong desire to help, the area has become overcrowded with volunteers who are impacting on authorities attempting to mobilise a response," WA Police said.
Dunsborough & Busselton Wildlife Care Inc reiterated the message for people to stay away.
"The public are now hindering procedures and lots of dogs and kids causing more problems," the organisation said on Facebook.
"We will ask for help as and when needed."
A shark advice has been issued with the possibility the stranded whales could attract sharks closer in to shore along the stretch of coast.
It comes after nearly 100 long-finned pilot whales died in a mass stranding in June 2023 at Cheynes Beach, near Albany in WA.
Despite the intervention of hundreds of volunteers, wildlife experts and authorities the pod could not be saved.
In 1996 the state's biggest mass stranding happened at Dunsborough involving 320 long-finned pilot whales.
Only 20 whales died with 300 able to be released.
People who would like to help in the stranding at Toby's Inlet have been asked to contact the Parks and Wildlife Service at Busselton.
