A lone pilot whale calf on a Western Australian beach where 160 whales stranded will be euthanized.
Veterinarians are concerned that the whale could send distress calls, leading to another mass stranding.
On Thursday, 160 long-finned pilot whales were stranded in Toby Inlet near Busselton in southwest Washington.
Around 30 whales died, and authorities and community volunteers managed to save around 100.
Wildlife officer Pia Courtis from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said on Friday the “disoriented” 1.5m juvenile pilot whale was spotted near the Eagle Bay boat ramp.
He said the whale appeared to have been abandoned and was still too young to feed itself.
On Thursday, 160 long-finned pilot whales were stranded in Toby Inlet near Busselton in southwest Washington.
Around 30 of the stranded whales died, despite the efforts of authorities and community volunteers.
‘We are talking to the vets and putting together a plan on how to manage it. Unfortunately for that animal, the only option would be euthanasia.’
Courtis said the juvenile could attract other whales near the coast, causing another stranding.
“It is worrying and that is why we have the observation plane and the ships in the ocean to see what is happening,” he said.
“It’s vocalizing and making noises and it could attract a capsule, if there is one, close to shore and we could see a repeat of what happened yesterday,” said Geographe Marine Research president Ian Weise.
Four pods of whales ranged along 500 meters of beach on Thursday, with another two pods of about 130 animals offshore in the ocean.
Geographe Marine Research president Ian Wiese told the ABC yesterday that he saw many of the dead creatures and described the scene as “terrible”.
Four pods of whales spread over 500 meters of beach on Thursday
Volunteers managed to save about 100 pilot whales but at least 30 died
The Western Australian Parks and Wildlife Service posted on Facebook to alert the public about the stranding, and staff from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) joined veterinarians at Perth Zoo in attempting to return the animals. the water.
“We know people want to help, but we ask that you do not attempt to rescue the animals without the direction of DBCA staff, as this may cause further injury and distress to the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort,” the post said. .
‘The top priority in cases of mass whale strandings is always human safety followed by animal welfare. “We want all staff and volunteers to return home safely.”
The mass stranding follows a similar event in Albany, further south on the WA coast, in July last year.
In November, 34 pilot whales were also found dead at Bryans Beach, 140 kilometers northeast of Hobart.