DPIPWE staff and members of the public help save stranded pygmy right whale at Stanley
Members of the public were on hand to help Parks and Wildlife staff rescue a pygmy right whale in Tasmania on Saturday morning.
The Launceston News
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TWO whales became stranded in the same bay in the state’s North-West, with one successfully refloated.
A pygmy right whale stranded on Tatlows Beach at Stanley on Saturday morning was reported to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment’s whale hotline about 7.30am by a member of the public.
The 5 metre, 1-2 tonne animal was grounded in about one metre of water, about 30m offshore, with no signs of injury or entanglement. Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said Parks and Wildlife staff watched the whale and kept it wet and cool and with assistance from local members of the public, were able to refloat the whale on the incoming tide.
Dr Carlyon said local beaches would continue to be monitored in coming days in case of re-stranding.
“Tatlows Beach is quite tidal and pygmy right whales have stranded in this area before,” he said.
“There is often an underlying issue with these whales when they strand, or they become exhausted quickly.”
A young humpback whale grounded in the same bay a number of kilometres away was found dead.
Dr Carlyon said there was no indication the two incidents were linked.
To report any dolphin or whale strandings call the WHALE hotline on 0427 942 537.
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