Mass strandings of whales are a phenomenon that continues to shock the scientific community. Although there are several theories, experts are still searching for definitive answers about the causes behind these sad events, which are common in Australia and New Zealand.
Precisely, on Thursday, April 25, on Dunsborough beach, in Western Australia, another unfortunate event was witnessed where around 160 pilot whales were trapped in 500 meters of shallow waters of Toby Inlet, in Geographe Bay, without any obvious reason.
Of the total number of cetaceans affected, at least 28 did not survive, while rescue efforts focused on saving the rest. A team of marine life experts, veterinarians and numerous volunteers coordinated by Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions worked tirelessly to assist the whales in distress.
Ian Wiese, a researcher involved in the operation and quoted by the Reuters agency, tried to explain what the protocol was to follow on this occasion: “These events are deeply disturbing, but unfortunately common on our coasts. Although sometimes the most compassionate decision is euthanasia, our main goal is always to save as many lives as possible.”
The volunteers and experts mobilized did their best to keep the whales comfortable and ensure their survival until they could be guided back to the ocean. The operation, as a control measure, deployed a plane to monitor whether the rescued whales are staying away from the coast, in the hope that they will not return to shallow waters and avoid a new stranding.
Authorities urged bathers who wanted to lend a hand not to intervene in rescues without expert supervision, due to the danger these large mammals represent when they are stressed or injured.
