Toby’s Inlet WA: Desperate rescue effort begins to save pod of 100 pilot whales stranded on Aussie beach

Authorities have launched a desperate rescue effort following a mass stranding of between 50 and 100 pilot whales on a West Australian beach.

The whales have been beached at Toby’s Inlet near Dunsborough, about three hours drive south of Perth.

Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia posted on Facebook to alert the public of the stranding, with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) staff joining with Perth Zoo vets to try and move the animals back into the water.

‘We know people want to help but we asked that people please do not attempt to rescue the animals without direction of DBCA staff as this may cause further injury, and distress to the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort,’ the post read.

‘The highest priority at mass whale stranding events is always human safety followed by animal welfare. We want all staff and volunteers to go home safe.’

The mass stranding follows a similar event at Albany further south on the WA coastline in July last year. 

In November 34 pilot whales were also found dead at Bryans Beach, 140km northeast of Hobart.