National

Most whales removed from Tasmanian beach

By AAP Newswire

Sep 25, 2022

Dead pilot whales at Ocean Beach in Tasmania — The rescue mission for about 200 whales stranded in Tasmania has now turned to the task of disposal. -PR Handout Image

The majority of the whale carcasses left on a beach in western Tasmania after a mass-stranding have been removed.

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The remains of about 200 animals were towed out to deep waters on Sunday morning for at-sea burials.

Rescuers managed to reach a few more live animals at Macquarie Harbour on Saturday and refloated them.

A small number of remains are still on Ocean Beach near Strahan and will be buried in the sand at some point in the future.

Incident Controller Brendon Clark said authorities had successfully refloated about 44 live animals in total after a pod of more than 200 washed up on shore earlier in the week.

It's hoped the carcasses taken out to deep waters will sink into in the Southern Ocean, but authorities warned some could wash up on Tasmanian beaches due to currents and tidal movements.

Anyone who sees the whales should stay away and contact Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment immediately.

The mission has been helped by volunteers and salmon companies based in Strahan.

Boat ramps at Ocean Beach and Macquarie Heads are expected to reopen soon.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press