Tasmania's danger zone for whales

For the second time recently, a large group of whales has swum onto Tasmania's beaches. The first time, which took place in 2020, involved 500 animals. This time, 226 pilot whales landed on beaches, close to the first location.

The problem's happening to both pilot whales and sperm whales. Experts are keen to help, but it's a big challenge.

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 scientists' knowledge and skill have grown, but this time nearly 200 of the whales died. Experts are studying the dead whales to learn why this happens in the first place.

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 work as a group and it's thought that one member may, by mistake, take all of them into a dangerous area. Sick animals sometimes swim to land, so it could be that younger whales follow them.

This time, 32 whales were finally returned to the deep water. Biologists can now check on those animals because they were tagged. By tagging, scientists make sure the whales remain safe.

But who knows if they'll stay safe, out at sea?

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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