DBCA Pilot Whale update: Hopes 45 whales can be helped back out to sea later today

As the country follows the Pilot Whale stranding on Cheynes Beach near Albany, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has provided an update this afternoon.

With many of the stranded whales dying onshore last night and today, a large group of volunteers are currently sitting with a group of 45 whales just off the shoreline, in the hopes of getting them back into deeper water.

“As you can see behind me there is a group of people and between the people there are 45 whales, and they are just being supported,” said Incident Controller Peter Hartley.

“We’re looking at analysing their behaviour the whole time, and once they’ve all recovered and we believe that they’re strong enough we will then release them as a pod.”

Mr Hartley said he hoped the whales will begin to show signs of improvement, but it was important to release them as a group.

“We’ve gotta be optimistic in this game, it’s highly stressful for the volunteers and staff, you’ve gotta have something to hold on to… We’re optimistic and we’re hopeful at this stage.”

More to come.

Image Credit: DBCA Screengrab via Facebook