Pilot Whale Stranding, Hamelin Bay, Western Australia
Another whale stranding made the news in Australia this week - the second large whale stranding this month. This time, eighty seven long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and five dolphins were found stranded on the beach at Hamelin Bay, south of Perth in Western Australia early Monday 23 March. A few of the animals were returned to sea, but more than 70 whales died on the beach.
Eleven surviving whales, measuring up to 6m long, were taken by truck to Flinders Bay on Tuesday and released. Five trucks were involved in the operation One of the eleven had to be put down after becoming distressed and separating from the pod. Six of the ten survivors subsequently beached themselves again about 6km from where they were released.
The huge rescue effort involved up to 180 volunteers, wildlife officers and vets. Full story.
Related story: Whale Stranding on King Island near Tasmania