SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – Australian rescue workers were trying hard to rescue the remaining few stranded pilot whales stuck in the shallow waters off the coast of Tasmania on Friday.
Time is running short for the 20 remaining whales trapped in Macquarie Harbour. Rescue workers were able to save 94 of the 470-strong pod while 380 had died.
“We haven’t dealt with a stranding of this type before (and) we are getting up to 94 animals released – that is one hell of an effort,” said Kris Carlyon, a marine conservation biologist.
He said most of the rescued creatures would regroup and recover from the trauma.
Involving a team of 100 rescue workers, the operation will continue through Friday and Saturday, officials said.
Efforts are also on to contain the carcasses and one of which was mauled by predators. The bodies have been enclosed with water booms and will be later disposed of in sea.