Angie
23-11-2008, 06:16:AM
Tasmania
DANIELLE McKAY
November 23, 2008 12:00am
FIFTY-one pilot whales were killed in a mass stranding in the state's North-West yesterday.
The lives of 13 whales still hung in the balance as rescuers battled overnight to ensure their survival.
The surviving whales spent more than 10 hours out of the water as a low tide hampered rescue efforts.
The maternal pod, consisting only of females and calves, became stranded on Anthony Beach at Stanley at about 10am.
Wildlife services received several calls alerting them to the stranding.
On arrival rescuers were confronted by the horrific scene of 64 whales strewn along a 60m stretch of the beach.
Parks and Wildlife Services West Coast parks and reserves manager Chris Arthur said some of the whales were as far as 30m from the water's edge.
"It was quite a confronting scene but we just got in there in an attempt to save those that could be saved," Mr Arthur said.
Equipment, including whale rescue trailers, was obtained from across the state.
More than 30 volunteers joined Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Primary Industries and Water staff.
Mr Arthur said rescuers had to dig around the whales so the animals could be placed on whale mats.
Rescuers also assisted the animals to stay upright and tried to ensure they remained wet.
"These animals live in the sea and dive to great depths for their food so by far the greatest threat is being out of the water," Mr Arthur said.
"There is also the risk of sunburn and being crushed by their weight."
A low tide prevented the whales from being returned to water until about 8.30pm last night.
Mr Arthur remained hopeful that the surviving whales would live.
"They seem to be quite resilient and they've been known to survive longer than that out of water," he said.
Mr Arthur said the cause of the stranding was difficult to ascertain.
"It's hard to gauge at this stage -- it could be anything from topography to the weather," he said.
Whale strandings were not uncommon and each provided important information.
Mr Arthur said the largest stranding he had experienced involved 120 whales.
In March 2007 seven sperm whales were rescued and three died in a stranding at Macquarie Heads at Strahan.
In October 2005 about 130 pilot whales died at Marion Bay on the East Coast. Two navy vessels operated sonar equipment near the bay, reviving debate about sonar effects on whales.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh35/angellinamorgana/whale1.gif
DANIELLE McKAY
November 23, 2008 12:00am
FIFTY-one pilot whales were killed in a mass stranding in the state's North-West yesterday.
The lives of 13 whales still hung in the balance as rescuers battled overnight to ensure their survival.
The surviving whales spent more than 10 hours out of the water as a low tide hampered rescue efforts.
The maternal pod, consisting only of females and calves, became stranded on Anthony Beach at Stanley at about 10am.
Wildlife services received several calls alerting them to the stranding.
On arrival rescuers were confronted by the horrific scene of 64 whales strewn along a 60m stretch of the beach.
Parks and Wildlife Services West Coast parks and reserves manager Chris Arthur said some of the whales were as far as 30m from the water's edge.
"It was quite a confronting scene but we just got in there in an attempt to save those that could be saved," Mr Arthur said.
Equipment, including whale rescue trailers, was obtained from across the state.
More than 30 volunteers joined Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Primary Industries and Water staff.
Mr Arthur said rescuers had to dig around the whales so the animals could be placed on whale mats.
Rescuers also assisted the animals to stay upright and tried to ensure they remained wet.
"These animals live in the sea and dive to great depths for their food so by far the greatest threat is being out of the water," Mr Arthur said.
"There is also the risk of sunburn and being crushed by their weight."
A low tide prevented the whales from being returned to water until about 8.30pm last night.
Mr Arthur remained hopeful that the surviving whales would live.
"They seem to be quite resilient and they've been known to survive longer than that out of water," he said.
Mr Arthur said the cause of the stranding was difficult to ascertain.
"It's hard to gauge at this stage -- it could be anything from topography to the weather," he said.
Whale strandings were not uncommon and each provided important information.
Mr Arthur said the largest stranding he had experienced involved 120 whales.
In March 2007 seven sperm whales were rescued and three died in a stranding at Macquarie Heads at Strahan.
In October 2005 about 130 pilot whales died at Marion Bay on the East Coast. Two navy vessels operated sonar equipment near the bay, reviving debate about sonar effects on whales.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh35/angellinamorgana/whale1.gif