MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Dozens of pilot whales have become stranded on Australia’s west coast and wildlife authorities were trying to save them, officials said Thursday.
Between 50 and 100 whales were stranded at Toby’s Inlet near the tourist town of Dunsborough, Western Australia’s state Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement.
Staff from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and veterinarians from Perth Zoo were deployed, the statement said.
Dunsborough is located 285 kilometers by road south of Perth, the state’s capital and largest city.
Officials urged the public not to try to save the whales on their own.
“We know people want to help, but we have asked people to please not attempt to rescue the animals without direction from DBCA staff as this could cause further harm and discomfort to the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort,” the statement said. declaration.
Nearly a hundred long-finned pilot whales died or were euthanized after a two-day rescue attempt last July during a mass stranding on Cheynes Beach near the former Albany whaling station, 355 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Dunsborough.
