Margaret River in Western Australia is a devastating scene as rescuers are battling to save a pod of 80 false killer whales and some bottlenose dolphins that have beached themselves. The frantic environment officers only have a few hours to save the 25 mammals that are still alive.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) said that the false killer whales and dolphins are stranded at Hamelin Bay near Margaret River, 323 kilometres south of Perth. They were beached around 7am today over a five-kilometre stretch close to Hamelin Bay Caravan Park.

The remaining whales are still alive, but are not looking well, said a source from the park. Those that died were badly injured when they washed over rocks.

DEC staff, volunteers, police and carcass disposal operations are currently on site. Vets are trying to stabilize the surviving mammals.

This is the second mass beaching in the country in three weeks. Earlier this month, some 200 whales and dolphins were stranded in Naracoopa Beach, King Island in Tasmania. Only 54 whales and 5 bottlenose dolphins were rescued.

Source:
News.com.au
Telegraph