Australian rescuers rush to save stranded pilot whales off Tasmania, as dozens die

A pod of 270 pilot whales got stuck on a sandbar in Macquarie Harbour, in one of Australia’s worst beaching events

At least 90 whales have died while 25 have been set free after being attached to boats and dragged into deeper water

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Volunteers and wildlife officials work to save a whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:15pm, 22 Sep 2020Updated: 3:51pm, 23 Sep 2020

Rescuers on Tuesday set free around 25 whales that were marooned on a sandbar off the remote west coast of Tasmania in one of Australia’s worst beaching events, and hope to save more in coming days.

Government scientists said about 90 of the 270-strong pod of pilot whales had died since they were spotted from the air in shallow water off the rugged coastline on Monday.

Footage showed large numbers of the animals prone on a wide sandbar at Macquarie Harbour, about 200km (120 miles) northwest of the state capital Hobart, while others floundered in slightly deeper water.

Pilot whales are a species of oceanic dolphin that grow to 7 metres (23ft) long and can weigh up to 3 tonnes

Rescuers had to get in the icy water to attach the whales to slings and then guide the animals as boats dragged them out to deeper water.

“We settled on a method where we get a sling placed under the whale, that’s attached to a boat (and) we also have crew in the water,” said Nic Deka, a regional manager of Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service, at a news conference.

A rescuer works to save a whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania. Photo: AFP