MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Up to 160 long-finned pilot whales beached on the western Australian coast Thursday and at least 26 died before wildlife authorities could begin a rescue attempt, officials said.
A team of wildlife officers, marine scientists and veterinarians had reached the scene at Toby’s Inlet near the tourist town of Dunsborough, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said in a statement.
The stranded whales were from four pods spread across 500 meters (1,640 feet) of shore, the department said.
An additional 20 whales were in a pod about 1.5 kilometer (almost a mile) offshore and 110 whales formed a pod closer to the beach, it said.
“Our team is making every effort to safely respond and keep volunteers and staff safe, while also acting in the best interests of the whales,” the statement sad.
“Our team is assessing the conditions of the whales that have stranded on the beach. Our teams on the water are trying to keep the animals together and away from the beach,” the statement added.
California Democrat wants to ban line
Chinese artists from Yunnan perform in Capital Governorate, Kuwait
'Taylor Swift must be getting sick of this': Travis Kelce is SLAMMED over 'cringe' beer
Defending champion Golden Knights beat Stars 3
Even the boss is worried! Hundreds of chief executives fear AI could steal their jobs too
Unfazed by danger and power, Guatemalan cardinal keeps up fight for migrants and the poor
New finds in China's Guizhou indicate prehistoric human activity over 55,000 years ago
Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left
Chinese tech firms strive for leadership in global e
Hamas releases video showing well
Chinese, Brazilian scientists name new flying reptiles to mark collaboration