In September 2020, Australia faced one of the largest whale strandings in the country’s history, with over 270 long-finned pilot whales becoming stranded on sandbars off the coast of Tasmania.
The incident, which took place in Macquarie Harbor on Tasmania’s west coast, became a race against time to save the whales before it was too late.
The first reports of the whale stranding came in on the morning of September 21, 2020, when a group of local fishermen noticed a pod of stranded whales in the shallow waters of the harbor.
The fishermen immediately alerted authorities, who rushed to the scene to assess the situation.
Over the next few days, rescuers from various organizations, including the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, worked tirelessly to save as many whales as possible.
Using a variety of methods, including inflatable pontoon boats, slings, and cranes, they attempted to move the whales back into deeper waters.
However, the operation was complicated by several factors, including the location of the whales, the shallow waters, and the size and weight of the animals.
The rescuers also had to contend with rough weather conditions, with high winds and waves making it difficult to navigate the harbor.
Despite the challenges, the rescuers managed to save over 100 whales in the first few days of the operation.
However, their efforts were hampered by the fact that many of the rescued whales became stranded again shortly after being released back into deeper waters. This forced the rescuers to repeatedly return to the scene to save the whales again and again.
As the days wore on, the situation became increasingly dire. With food and water supplies running low, and the whales becoming increasingly stressed and exhausted, the rescuers knew they had to act quickly to save as many whales as possible.
The rescuers continued to work around the clock to save as many whales as possible. By the end of the operation, they had managed to save a total of 110 whales, but over 170 had died, making it one of the largest whale strandings in Australian history.
The cause of the whale stranding is not yet known, but it is thought to be related to the complex social behavior of pilot whales.
These whales are known to live in tight-knit groups, with strong social bonds that can sometimes lead them astray.
The incident highlights the urgent need for better understanding of marine ecosystems and the behavior of marine mammals.
With climate change and human activities posing increasing threats to marine life, it is vital that we take action to protect and preserve these precious animals before it is too late.