XPost: aus.politics, alt.global-warming, sac.politics
XPost: alt.gossip.celebrities
Australian wildlife officials began disposing of hundreds of
dead whales on Saturday following one of the largest-ever mass
stranding events globally. They have officially ended rescue
efforts, believing there are no more survivors.
Conservation experts and trained volunteers were able to save
108 of the approximately 470 long-finned pilot whales spotted on
a remote sandbank in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour on Monday.
Rescuers have spent the last five days performing dangerous
rescue missions amid unpredictable conditions to save as many
animals as they could.
Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Dr. Kris Carlyon
said in a statement that rescuers did a terrific job saving the
whales. "We only had one whale restrand overnight, which is a
good result given 20 whales were released yesterday," Carlyon
said.
"Every whale saved is an incredible outcome given the
complicated conditions and is testament to the tireless and
skilful work that the response team are undertaking," Peter
Gutwein, Tasmania's premier, said in a statement. "At times like
these, Tasmanians come together to respond as quickly and
compassionately as possible."
Rob Buck, Incident Controller and Parks and Wildlife Service
manager, said officials have so far disposed of 15 whales at sea
in order to test the disposal method. He expects it to take
several days to complete the task depending on the wind, tide
and other conditions.
The bodies of the whales are being separated into pods and
enclosed with water booms, in an attempt to keep them in one
place, isolated from sharks and other marine life.
"Collection and disposal is being undertaken with the assistance
of aquaculture companies whose equipment and expertise on the
harbour is essential for a timely and effective outcome," Buck
said.
"We know it's hard for people to watch from afar and thank the
community for allowing our teams to focus on the critical work
required for the response," Buck said.
Officials expect the highly social whales that were rescued to
eventually "regroup" and recover from the traumatic event.
While mass whale strandings occur relatively often in Tasmania,
such a large group has not been seen in the area for more than a
decade. The causes remain unknown — however, some researchers
have suggested the whales may have gone off track after feeding
close to the shoreline or by following one or two whales that
strayed.
Officials said it's possible that whales will be found in
surrounding areas in the coming days, and asked locals to report
sightings.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/australia-disposal-350-dead-pilot- whales-rescue-mass-beaching-tasmania/
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