A heartbreaking scene unfolded #in #Western #Australia on Thursday when more than 100 #pilot #whales washed up on the beach at Toby Inlet, leaving #dozens #of mammals #dead and prompting local authorities to launch a massive rescue operation #in an attempt. to save others.
The #Western Australian Parks and Wildlife Service reported there were four groups #of #pilot #whales numbering up to 160, stranded on an area #of approximately 500 meters #of beach, and at by Thursday afternoon local time, 28 #of them were dead.
Additionally, another group #of about 20 #whales was spotted about a mile offshore, and a second, larger group #of about 110 #whales was located closer to shore.
Crews were working to keep the animals away from the beach, and authorities said Thursday afternoon that groups had begun traveling north and away from the coast.
“A spotter plane was #in the sky looking for the group that swam out to sea,” the service said #in a Facebook post. ”There have been no further sightings #of the group this afternoon, which is good news. The spotter plane will continue to monitor the area during daylight hours, but we are confident that the group will not return to shallower waters.
The #whales that unfortunately died #after the #stranding are being removed from the beach.
Before that, however, scientists are collecting tissue samples and measurements.
“The data we are collecting will hopefully help scientists better understand the group and hopefully help us understand why they strand,” regional wildlife officer Pia Courtis said #in a video.
Courtis said he hoped all the #dead #whales would be removed from the beach by Thursday evening, and that observation boats and planes would return on Friday to monitor the area for signs #of #whales possibly returning to the beach. area.
