Hundreds of whales stranded in Australia

A mass whale stranding off the coast of Tasmania, Australia has resulted in the deaths of 350 pilot whales.

Last week, 470 long-finned pilot whales became stranded on sandbanks and beaches. A rescue team made up of conservationists and skilled volunteers has been working around the clock in an attempt to refloat as many of the whales as possible.

The number of whales beached makes it the most catastrophic stranding in Australia's history and one of the largest ever worldwide.

Growing up to 6 metres long and weighing up to a tonne, pilot whales are highly social and remain in pods for life. Some of the whales rescued by the conservationists became stranded again as they attempted to reach their beached families.

After refloating, 109 whales have been returned to the ocean, conservationists must now address the disposal of the deceased whales. This is vital in order to both protect the environment and discourage other whales from the pod returning. The mystery of why whales become stranded remains unsolved.

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