Up to 70 whales stranded on Cheynes Beach on southern tip of Western Australia

People have been urged to stay away from Cheynes Beach, near Albany, after pilot whales washed up on Tuesday afternoon.

Pilot whales washing up on the beach at Cheynes beach, Western Australia. Picture: Facebook

Up to 70 whales have become stranded on a Western Australian beach.

The pod of around 60 to 70 pilot whales had been lingering off the coast of Cheynes Beach, about 60 km east of Albany, for much of Tuesday before beaching on the sands around 4:30pm local time (6.30pm AEST).

A team of experts, including Perth Zoo veterinarians and marine fauna experts, have been sent to the scene and will camp on the beach to monitor the animals overnight. They will also be setting up a safety zone around the stranding area and have with them specialised equipment, including vessels and slings.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is leading the response and has urged volunteers to avoid the area.

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

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

The long-finned pilot whales were initially reported to have grouped around 150m offshore at around 11am. Rescuers will now work to determine why they swam to shore and whether the animals are healthy enough to sustain rescue efforts and return to the ocean.

Owners of Cheynes Beach Caravan Park Joanne and Allan Marsh documented the movements of the pod throughout Tuesday on social media.

“We really don‘t know what is happening,” they posted.

“DBCA are guessing there maybe Killer Whales in the area and they are in defensive mode.”

A shark was sighted in the area around 5:30pm local time, according to a notice from Surf Life Saving WA warning people to use extra caution in the area.

“It is possible dead and injured animals will act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore along this stretch of coast,” the warning read.

The species is known for mass beachings, with one incident usually occurring each year in Australia.

In 2022, 230 pilot whales became stranded at Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast, while 150 became stuck on the sands of WA Hamelin Bay in 2018. More than a two thirds of the mammals died.

Marine mammal scientist and researcher Rebecca Wellard told local publications pilot whales are open-ocean mammals known for their strong familial bonds, with a group this large likely made up of several different family groups.

She said just one sick animal or a navigational issue will mean they strand together.

The longer the whales remain on shore, the less likely they are to survive