Massacre in a remote bay of Tasmania: 380 cetaceans died, 50 were saved

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Rescuers on Wednesday announced the deaths of 380 pilot whales stranded in a remote Tasmanian bay, despite intense efforts to try to save them. This heavy toll means that almost all of the 460 pilot dolphins stranded in this vast bay on the wild and sparsely populated west coast of the Australian island have perished.

Nic Deka, director of the Tasmanian Nature Parks said, we have a more precise figure and we can confirm that 380 cetaceans died. About thirty are still alive and the good news is that we have already saved 50.

About 270 pilot whales had been discovered Monday, giving rise to a large operation to try to save them. Most were stranded on a sandbar accessible only by boat. Another group of nearly 200 marine mammals was discovered, already dead, Wednesday morning during an aerial reconnaissance flight. This is the largest cetacean stranding recorded in Tasmania and certainly the largest in the country's history.

About sixty people, including environmental protection specialists and employees of neighboring aquaculture farms, are participating in the rescue operations for pilot whales found stranded on Monday. Rescuers spent two days in the shallow, cold water to successfully rescue around 50. Using cables attached to the boats, they then escorted them out to sea. Now, they continue their race against time to try to save as many as possible of the 30 pilot whales still alive.

Deka said, it's very exhausting physically but also emotionally.

The causes of these massive strandings remain unknown. The other 200 cetaceans found on Wednesday were stranded about 7 to 10 kilometers from the first group found on Monday. Authorities have since expanded their search area to make sure other mammals haven't stranded.