Two more long-finned pilot whales which were part of a pod that stranded themselves on a beach in the South West have died, bringing the total to 28.
But authorities are hopeful the rest of the 160-strong pod will stay alive as their efforts to prevent them from re-stranding have so far paid off.
Early Thursday morning the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions received reports from locals that a pod of whales had beached at Toby’s Inlet, near Dunsborough and Busselton.
Experienced staff from DBCA as well as vets from Perth Zoo were deployed and joined dozens of volunteers who had descended on the scene to try to save the marine creatures.
Some were pouring water on the distressed mammals in a bid to keep them alive.
However, by early afternoon the rescuers had the grim task of removing some the carcasses from the shallow water.
The DBCA said around another 20 whales remain about 1.5km offshore while another 100 had gathered closer to the shore but were still in the water.
Boats deployed by the department were used to prevent the whales in the water from re-stranding. It is understood there are four separate pods with those on the beach stretching about 500m.
The department’s Pia Courtis said pilot whales have been know to strand along the WA coast and warned the outcome for them was generally “not good” explaining a high number of them usually died.
The department has also issued a shark advice for the area warning the dead and injured animals will act as attractant, leading to sharks to come closer to shore.
“While it is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution,” the department said.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
Earlier, Geographe Marine Research chair Ian Wiese, who is one of those trying desperately to save the mammals, said it was evident several whales had already perished.
He also said he believed there was another six pilot whales stranded in another location, on the eastern side of Toby’s Inlet, adding the scene was “terrible”.
“The others are just thrashing around and we’ll have many deaths in the next few hours,” he told the ABC.
“It’s terrible … there’s lots of theories around the world but nobody’s really been able to find a cause [for mass whale strandings],” he added.
We know people want to help but we asked that people please do not attempt to rescue the animals
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said experienced staff from DBCA and vets from Perth Zoo had been deployed.
“We know people want to help but we ask that people please do not attempt to rescue the animals without direction of DBCA staff as this may cause further injury, and distress to the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort,” the spokesperson said.
The Department added: “The highest priority at mass whale stranding events is always human safety followed by animal welfare. We want all staff and volunteers to go home safe.”
“We ask that people please follow instructions of DBCA staff to ensure the highest human safety and animal welfare outcomes are achieved.”
It comes after a pod of pilot whales became stranded near Albany last year.
More than 50 beached themselves on Cheynes beach on July 25 with locals reporting the pod had grouped together offshore beforehand. Another 40 had to be euthanased.
Around 130 whales died in a mass stranding in early 2018 at Hamelin Bay.
And 320 long-finned pilot whales beached themselves in Dunsborough in 1996, which is believed to be the largest mass stranding of whales in WA.
Those who would like to help with the whales at Toby’s Inlet have been asked to call the Parks and Wildlife Service in Busselton on 9752 5555.