In what is believed to be the worst instance of marooning of marine animals in a decade, over 270 whales have been stranded in the Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast, 90 of which have apparently died.
What caused the whales to move to the shore is still unknown. While some of the whales reached inaccessible locations, marine rescue teams were able to save 25 of the animals on Tuesday and are aiming to escort more back into the sea.
Whale beachings are common in the region, but one of this size has not been seen in over a decade. Tasmania last recorded a mass stranding in 2009 involving around 200 whales.