Heartbreaking decision made on lone pilot whale calf to prevent another mass stranding
A solo pilot whale calf on a beach in Western Australia, where 160 whales themselves are stranded, will be euthanized.
Vets are concerned the whale could send out distress calls, which could result in another mass stranding.
On Thursday, 160 long-finned pilot whales became stranded at Toby Inlet near Busselton in south-west WA.
About 30 whales died, while authorities and community volunteers were able to save about 100.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions conservation officer Pia Courtis said on Friday that the “disoriented” 1.5-metre young pilot whale was spotted near the Eagle Bay boat ramp.
She said the whale appeared abandoned and was still too young to eat on its own.
On Thursday, 160 long-finned pilot whales stranded at Toby Inlet near Busselton in south-west WA.
About 30 of the beached whales died, despite the efforts of authorities and community volunteers
‘We are in discussions with veterinarians and are making a plan on how we will approach this. Unfortunately for that animal, euthanasia would be the only option.”
Ms Courtis said the young whale could attract other whales close to shore, leading to another stranding.
“It’s a concern and that’s why we have the reconnaissance plane and the ships in the ocean to see what’s going on,” she said.
“It’s making noise and noise and could draw a group – if there is one – close to shore and we could see a repeat of what happened yesterday,” said Ian Weise, president of Geographe Marine Research.
Four groups of whales spread out over 500 meters of beach on Thursday, with another two groups of about 130 animals offshore in the ocean.
Geographe Marine Research chairman Ian Wiese told the ABC yesterday that he had seen many of the dead creatures and described the scene as ‘horrible’.
Four groups of whales spread out over 500 meters of beach on Thursday
Volunteers managed to save about 100 pilot whales, but at least 30 died
Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia posted on Facebook to alert the public to the stranding, with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) staff working with Perth Zoo veterinarians to try to get the animals back into the water to get.
“We know people want to help, but we have asked people to please not attempt to rescue the animals without direction from DBCA staff as this could cause further harm and discomfort to the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort,” it said message.
‘The top priority in mass whale strandings is always human safety, followed by animal welfare. We want all employees and volunteers to go 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 on Bryans Beach, 140 km northeast of Hobart.