Hundreds of dead 'pilot dolphins' washed up in Tasmania

Pilot whales stranded in Tasmania.

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Hundreds of pilot whales stranded in a remote Tasmanian bay have died, but rescuers continued to do their best on Wednesday to try to save the dozens of cetaceans still alive.

In addition, some 200 more of these "pilot dolphins" were discovered Wednesday, stranded a little further in Macquarie Harbor.

This brings to 470 the total number of marine mammals that have stranded in this vast bay closed by a narrow pass on the wild and sparsely populated west coast of the Australian island.

About 270 pilot whales had been discovered Monday, giving rise to a vast operation to try to save these cetaceans, for the majority stranded on a sandbank only accessible by boat.

The director of natural parks, Nic Deka, said on Wednesday that the majority of animals discovered on Wednesday during an aerial reconnaissance flight had died.

"A boat arrived there not long ago, they assessed the importance of the smallest group discovered on Wednesday and all the mammals are dead," he said.

“They are currently in the process of evaluating the larger group,” he explained.

The unknown causes

The causes of these massive cetacean strandings remain unknown.

About sixty people, including environmental protection specialists and employees of neighboring aquaculture farms, are participating in the rescue operations of pilot whales found stranded on Monday, partly submerged.

“Our best assessment this morning is that between 50 and 70 dolphins are potentially still alive,” said Nic Deka.

"So these are the animals on which we focus our efforts."

Rescuers spent the day in shallow, cold water on Tuesday and rescued 25 cetaceans.

Using cables attached to the boats, they then escorted them out to sea.

"It's very exhausting physically but also emotionally", according to Nic Deka.

The 200 other cetaceans discovered Wednesday were stranded about 7 to 10 kilometers from the group discovered Monday.

Authorities have since expanded their search area to make sure other mammals haven't failed.

"The good news is that the majority of the cetaceans rescued are still in the deep water and swimming," said Nic Deka during a press briefing in the nearby town of Strahan.

“They haven't failed.

We have therefore more success than failure, ”he stressed.

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