Mass stranding of Pilot Whales in Tasmania, some are saved

[Annces]

Reuters Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viZz-NAFH-c

MORE than 140 pilot whales have died after a pod of nearly 200 beached themselves on King Island, northwest of Tasmania. About 194 pilot whales and six or seven bottlenose dolphins began stranding themselves on Naracoopa Beach on Sunday evening. Up to 200 local people worked to save the marine mammals, covering them in wet blankets and keeping them wet.

Late yesterday, 15 whales had been saved by rescue teams, who used a jetski and a boat to tow the marine mammals out to deep water. Tasmanian wildlife officers and rescuers took advantage of the high tide to carry out the operation. But despite their efforts, about 140 whales dehydrated and died.


http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25130366-5006788,00.html