In response to reports of more than 100 pilot whales stranded on Toby’s Inlet beach in the state of Western Australia today, wildlife officials, marine scientists, and veterinarians who arrived at the scene began working on the beach. Experts stated that they identified four groups totaling about 160 pilot whales spread along approximately 500 meters of shoreline. Additionally, they identified another group of 20 whales offshore about 1.5 km from the coast and another group of 110 whales.
TRYING TO KEEP OFFSHORE GROUPS AWAY FROM THE SHORE
Officials stated, “Our team is making every effort to intervene safely, keep volunteers and staff safe, and act in the best interests of the whales. Our team is assessing the situation of the beached whales on the shore. Our teams in the water are trying to keep the animals together and away from the shore.”
Referring to similar incidents last year, the teams mentioned that euthanasia could sometimes be the most humane outcome for stranded animals. Experts emphasized that one group had moved away from the shore and that they were monitoring their situation with boats and observation aircraft.
