Europe1 .fr with AFP 10:50 a.m., September 21, 2022
About 230 pilot dolphins were found stranded on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia on Wednesday, "about half" of which are alive.
Almost two years ago to the day, the area had already been the scene of another massive stranding, with nearly 500 pilot dolphins found.
A hundred had then survived.
About 230 pilot dolphins, also known as pilot whales, were found stranded on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia on Wednesday, with officials saying only half of the cetaceans appeared to be still alive.
"A group of around 230 'cetaceans' have washed ashore near Macquarie Harbour," the Tasmanian state Department of Natural Resources and Environment said.
"It looks like about half of the animals are alive," he added.
READ ALSO
- A "pet" kangaroo suspected of having killed an Australian
Aerial footage showed a desolate scene where dozens of sea mammals were scattered along a wide beach.
Authorities said marine conservation experts and a team with cetacean rescue equipment were on their way to the area.
A massive stranding two years ago
Almost two years ago to the day, the area was the scene of another mass stranding, with nearly 500 pilot dolphins stranded, of which around 100 survived.
The reasons for these large strandings are not fully known.
Scientists have suggested they could be caused by groups of cetaceans straying after feeding too close to shore.
As pilot whales are very social animals, they can follow members of their group who stray and find themselves in danger.