Hundreds of washed-up pilot whales rescued in Australia after major action

NOS News•today, 3:57 PM

Things were looking bad for the approximately 160 pilot whales that washed up on the coast of southwestern Australia this morning. Thirty animals died before local authorities could begin the rescue attempt. But at the same time, against all odds, a hundred of the dolphins were rescued and returned to the sea.

It was a large-scale rescue operation. Hundreds of people are committed to saving the animals. “People tried to comfort the animals and do their best to help them breathe,” researcher Ian Wiese told ABC News. He also took part in the rescue operation.

He called it an amazing story. The rescuers kept the animals alive “and then, suddenly, they took off back into the water.” It is still unclear how that was possible. He does add that it is quite possible that the pilot whales will wash up on a beach again. That happens more often. “But we’re hopeful they won’t do that,” he says.

It often happens that dolphins or whales wash up on the west coast of Australia. In July last year, almost a hundred pilot whales died after a two-day rescue attempt. In the same region, more than 300 pilot whales died or were euthanized after a mass stranding in 1996. Usually things do not end well for the animals and euthanasia is seen as the only humane solution.

“It turned out very well today, because normally only five or six of a hundred whales are saved,” says Wiese. Local conservationist Pia Courtis previously said she had seen many animals die.

The thirty dead pilot whales were dragged out of the water so that their carcasses would not attract sharks.

It is unclear what causes pilot whales to become stranded. According to scientists, it could be caused by their sense of direction becoming confused, as they follow a sick leader or try to avoid predators. Man-made noise can also confuse pilot whales, such as fishing and noise.

Pilot whales are known for their close social bonds. So when one of them gets into trouble and becomes stranded, the rest often follow, reports the University of Western Australia.

It was a strange sight on the beach in Australia:

The washed up pilot whales on the west coast of Australia