Tasmania: Pilot Whales Die in Mass Stranding

by Jordan Yerman | November 22, 2008 at 08:51 am

662 views | 26 Recommendations | 16 comments

Update: The

52 pilot whales found themselves stranded on a remote Tasmanian beach, and only 13 are still alive.

Local wildlife services staff are mobilising their own resources as well as bringing in outside help in order to free the surviving whales and deal with the carcasses of those that didn't make it.

The whales came ashore yesterday on a high tide at little-used Anthony's Beach, near Stanley. Most were dead before they were found by a woman walking her dog, who called wildlife officials.

The whales were discovered by a member of the public at Stanley on the island's north-west coast, local parks manager Chris Arthur said in a statement.

An attempt would be made to rescue the surviving animals on Sunday, he said.

"We have equipment and whale rescue trailers coming from around the state," Arthur said.

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Pythiian1

at 11:23 on November 22nd, 2008

This is so sad, I wonder if these pilot whales were upset from the ocean's activity before the earthquake in nearby region.

matte

at 18:37 on November 22nd, 2008

what!!! Get real.

This is an area where strandings are almost an annual occurrence

Amy Judd

at 18:41 on November 22nd, 2008

Well not everyone would know that, hence why she stated 'I wonder'...

matte

at 22:10 on November 22nd, 2008

then it was a meaningless comment that added nothing to the story - the implication was there had been some event to trigger it and as there evidently was not, she made one up.

Amy Judd

at 22:18 on November 22nd, 2008

As a wrangler, we expect better conduct towards other members, not comments about how their contribution was a meaningless one. If you choose to ignore this suggestion, then you will lose your wrangler status.

matte

at 04:18 on November 23rd, 2008

Amy - I was an editor long before you came onto the scene and was part of writing much of what is "Now Public" including the guidelines.

So I feel comfortable in knowing that meaningless comments are a waste, as are inaccurate 'facts' in comments and that comments are the place to say so.

So please don't threaten me - I do not react well to them and will pursue it if needed.

danesller0127

at 11:50 on November 22nd, 2008

Oh! no, I'm sorry to heared that, It's sad story for the whales... calling WWF!!!

Amy Judd

at 14:45 on November 22nd, 2008

These whales are endangered enough as it is - that is so sad and not fair.

matte

at 18:44 on November 22nd, 2008

Now amy - get facts before spouting (pun) untruths.

"pilot whales are not considered to be endangered. There are likely to be almost a million long-finned pilot whales and at least 200,000 short-finned pilot whales worldwide." (American Cetacean Society)

Amy Judd

at 18:56 on November 22nd, 2008

You're right - they're not endangered - I stand corrected.

Paschen

at 18:50 on November 22nd, 2008

They may not yet be on the official endangered List, however at the rate we are going and the way we manage Nature and natural resources it won't be long before they will be endangered and we may very well follow them some time down the road.

Milieunet

at 08:24 on November 23rd, 2008

This is sad, although it is nature

matte

at 23:07 on November 25th, 2008

exactly - the natural order of things.

happybrunette23

at 09:43 on November 23rd, 2008

OMG, that's horrible, losing more whales are not going help balance the eco system... is it because of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Sumatra that did not become a Tsunami?? Well according to ur news it's brought to Tasmanian beach because of the high tide???....

matte

at 23:06 on November 25th, 2008

no and err no.

Amy Judd

at 12:03 on November 28th, 2008

11 rescued pilot whales have rejoined a larger pod offshore:

A group of whales rescued from an Australian beach have joined a larger pod in deep waters — a sign they are doing fine after their ordeal, an official said Monday.

Rescuers tagged five of 11 pilot whales they plucked from the beach in southern Tasmania state Sunday with satellite tracking devices so they could follow the animals' progress.

It was the first time tracking devices had been used in a whale rescue in Australia.