Australia Whales: 90 Dead in Mass Stranding Off Tasmania

At least a third of the 270 whales stranded off the coast of Tasmania in Australia have died, and more are expected to die, say rescuers.

The mass stranding was found on Monday on the west coast of the island, reports the BBC.

In a tricky task expected to take days, marine biologists are scrambling to save the remaining pilot whales.

What attracted the whales to the shore is unknown. Whale beaches are popular in the area, but since 2009, one of this size has not been seen.

Tasmanian Maritime Conservation Program scientists have confirmed that whales have been identified in three groups around Macquarie Heads, a remote tip of the island with restricted vessel and road access.

Late on Monday, rescuers arrived at the scene, finding hundreds of more animals in distress than had been first spotted from the air.

On Tuesday, a complete evaluation was not yet accomplished, as "most of the species are relatively inaccessible," wildlife biologist Dr Kris Carlyon told reporters.

However attempts to save the first ones began on Tuesday.

"We will take the animals with the best chance to start with," Dr Carlyon said, adding that some of the animals may simply be too big or in an unsuitable location.

It is possible for pilot whales to grow up to seven meters long and weigh up to three tons.

Approximately 200 of the animals had washed up near a boat ramp on a sandbar, while 30 others were located a few hundred meters away. Another 30 were located along Ocean Beach further inland.

Whales move in pods and migrate up and down the coast of Australia and New Zealand seasonally.

Researchers claim they obey a leader which can contribute to entire groups beaching themselves through their tight social ties.

In 2018, in New Zealand, over 200 pilot whales died over the course of a week following separate strandings off the east coast of the country.