Marine biologists scrambled to save more than 100 pilot whales after they stranded on an Australian beach, with officials fearing many would have to be euthanized.
According to Western Australia’s Parks and Wildlife Service, 26 of the pilot whales that were beached have died.

Officials stated that up to 160 pilot whales became stranded Thursday morning at Toby’s Inlet, which is roughly three hours south of Perth, the state capital.

“A team of experienced staff, including wildlife officers, marine scientists, and veterinarians, are on-site or on their way,” the Parks and Wildlife Service stated.

Wildlife authorities will attempt to move some of the pilot whales away from the beach and into deeper water.

However, the service stated that “these events usually result in the beached animals having to be euthanised as the most humane outcome”.

Mass strandings of pilot whales are common in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2022, over 500 pilot whales died after being beached on New Zealand’s remote Chatham Islands.

Scientists don’t fully understand why large strandings happen, but some believe pods get off track after feeding too near to shore.

Pilot whales, which can grow to be more than six metres (20 feet) long, are highly gregarious and may follow pod members who stray into danger.