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Rescuers face grim task of disposing whale carcasses after Australia mass stranding

adminSeptember 25, 20201 Mins read86 Views

MACQUARIE HARBOUR, Australia: After days wading through chilly waters, surrounded by the pained cries of hundreds of stranded whales on Australia's south coast, rescuers faced the grim task Friday of disposing of the carcasses.

In "one hell of an effort", a crew of around 100 conservationists and skilled volunteers saved 94 of the 470 animals stranded on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard – Australia's largest-ever mass stranding, Tasmanian environment department marine biologist Kris Carlyon told media.

"With this one, we are dealing with something unique, we haven't dealt with a stranding of this type before," Carlyon said, adding the offshore rescue of such a large number was particularly unusual.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife lowered its estimate of the death toll from 380 to 350 on Friday (Sep 25), and rescuers remained hopeful they could save up to 20 more of the creatures.

READ: Hopes fade for more survivors in Australia mass whale stranding

But the focus was shifting to how to dispose of the carcasses as quickly as possible over fears the decomposing corpses could damage the environment in Macquarie Harbour, drift into the paths of boats or attract sharks.

Several methods were being trialled for moving the dead whales – including towing them out to sea before cutting them loose to sink in deeper water.

"They're hard moments, when there's so much to go and it just feels defeating, it feels never-ending," Wildcare volunteer Josh Gourlay told AFP.

"When you see what it looked like before and what it is now and you think – actually … we've done really well."

The causes of whale mass strandings remain unknown, despite scientists studying the phenomenon for decades. (Photo: AFP/Mell Chun)

With rescuers braving relentless rains, strong winds and cold waters for hours daily to try and save the struggling animals, he admitted the effort had taken its toll on him.

"You almost need a whale's thick skin to be out there as well."

"WE CAN'T SAVE THEM ALL"

Pilot whales – which can grow up to 6m long and weigh a tonne – are known to be highly social.

Some animals have resisted rescue or tried to return to their family after being freed, becoming beached for a second time.