‘We can’t focus on the doom and gloom’: Hardworking volunteers put lives on hold to help whales
Everyday, hardworking Tasmanians are putting their lives on hold to help rescue the stranded pilot whales on the West Coast. Meet Cory Young, a hero by anyone’s standards >>
Tasmania
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DOZENS of Tasmanians have put their lives on hold to give all they have to the relentless effort to save Strahan’s stranded pilot whales.
The volunteer and paid rescuers have braved wild weather, icy water and heartbreaking scene in what are often 12 hour shifts.
Many volunteers have taken time off work or study to be on the forefront of operations for days at a time and some expect to be in Strahan for days to come.
Hobart man and president of Wildcare Tasmania’s rescue team Cory Young arrived on the scene on Monday and expects to leave on Saturday.
He took the time off work and found friends to look after the orphaned wildlife he takes care of, including a little penguin and an echidna puggle.
Mr Young has been working in the water throughout the rescue, helping locate living whales, recover them and hitch them to boats.
“It’s amazing how the team morale has been out there,” he said.
“Everyone has been so positive. We can’t focus on the doom and gloom.
“People keep saying to me that there’s all these dead whales, but we’re focused on the live ones that we’re getting out.”
Mr Young said there were many uplifting moments and “amazing experiences between mothers and calves” in the water.
“Being able to get what we assume are buddied up animals out into the water together is amazing.
“The calves have been a dream to work with.”
Mr Cory said it was great to have volunteers on the ground, but the support of boat crews from local fish farms had been “a godsend.
About 40 surf lifesavers have assisted efforts in the water across the past four days.
Surf Lifesaving Tasmania CEO Tony Van Den Enden said the members made themselves available for call-outs 365 days of the year.
“To see so many being able to be willing and able to come and respond at very short notice, relocating for up to four nights, has been fantastic and a credit to our volunteers who continue to do amazing work.”
Originally published as ‘We can’t focus on the doom and gloom’: Hardworking volunteers put lives on hold to help whales