Emergency response for huge pod of beached pilot whales in WA

An emergency response is under way to try to save dozens of pilot whales that beached themselves in a heartbreaking event.

Wildlife authorities will work throughout the night to try to save dozens of whales that have stranded themselves on an Australian beach.

A large pod of pilot whales washed ashore on Tuesday afternoon at Western Australia’s Cheynes beach, 60km east of Albany.

Video of the whales washed up on the beach shows nearly 70 of the animals being pushed onto the sand as they struggle against the waves.

Dozens of whales washed up on the shoreline. Photo: Cheynes Beach Caravan Park

Authorities have begun a rescue effort for the whales Picture: Facebook

Authorities can be seen checking on the whales to see whether they’re healthy.

With a rescue effort under way, authorities have asked the public to keep their distance from the whales despite their desire to help, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said.

“We understand the public’s concern at this time and appreciate the offers of support from volunteers,” a DBCA spokesperson said.

“However, the safety of the public and the whales is our main priority, so we ask that members of the public do not approach the beach.”

The pod was seen gathering off shore before they began to "strand" themselves.

DBCA staff will camp overnight at the beach as the rescue effort continues, and will set up a safety zone around the stranding area.

The animals were spotted close to shore on Monday evening, with videos going viral of their unusual behaviour.

The DBCA put out early indications that something was awry with the pod when the group formed, asking the public to keep vessels and drones away.

“DBCA officers are in attendance and will monitor the pod’s behaviour and movements over the next few hours,” a spokesperson said.

Long-finned pilot whales live off the southern coast of Australia, their habitat stretching from waters in WA to South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW. They are also found in New Zealand, South America, South Africa and the Arctic.

They are notorious for mass strandings, especially in New Zealand where they beach themselves in high numbers from December to March.

When beached, the animals die from overheating or from being slowly crushed to death by their own weight.

Originally published as Emergency response for huge pod of beached pilot whales in WA