Tasmania's danger zone for whales

In Tasmania, lots of whales are now dead. This is the second time it happened. Just two years ago, hundreds died. This time, 226 whales got stuck on the beach. They couldn't move.

This happens to two types of whales - pilot and sperm whales. Scientists know it's a big problem.

Sam Thalmann: "so we're experienced, and we've developed some very special techniques that are adapted to the local conditions. And so we're getting better all the time. It's still a very challenging response to undertake. But yeah, we- we improve every time, and it's always a challenge."

The team is getting better at helping now. But lots of whales are still dying. About 200 died this time. The scientists want to know why.

Sam Thalmann: "We're doing investigations and collecting samples that will- hopefully, help us then understand some of the mechanisms and and hopefully, potentially the processes as to why these animals strand at this location."

Pilot whales live in groups. It's possible this is one of the problems. The animals stay together in dangerous places too. Perhaps young whales follow a sick whale onto the beaches.

This time scientists helped 32 animals to return to the sea. The scientists "tag" the whales' backs. This way they can watch them in the future. It keeps the whales safe.

But it's possible these whales may come back.

Sam Thalmann: "There may be a few that may restrand, unfortunately, but we expect the, by far the- the majority, will head out to sea. But we'll certainly keep surveillance and monitoring for those ones that do restrand and then we'll assess their condition, if and when that happens."

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