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Heartbreak for rescuers as hundreds of stranded whales die

Hundreds of pilot whales have died on Tasmania’s remote west coast in what experts say is the state’s biggest mass stranding in recorded history.

A second group of 200 whales was discovered at Macquarie Harbour on Wednesday morning, taking the overall number to about 470.

Parks and Wildlife confirmed late on Wednesday afternoon that 380 of the stranded whales from both groups had died.

Earlier, manager Nic Deka was pessimistic about the whales’ chances of survival. The majority of the newly found group were believed to have already perished.

They were spotted from air further inside the harbour, up to 10 kilometres from the original sandbar rescue site where about 270 got stuck on Monday.

“From the air, they didn’t look to be in a condition that would warrant rescue. Most of them appeared to be dead,” Mr Deka said.

“If they can be saved we probably will send crews over there.”

Further assessment of their condition will be undertaken by boat.

whale stranding second pod

Rescuers surround one of the stranded pilot whales at Strahan, on Tasmania’s west coast. Photo: AAP

Ongoing rescue efforts have returned about 30 whales from sandbars to open ocean but several got stranded again.

About a third of the initial 270-strong group are thought to have died, and more information about their condition expected to be known later on Wednesday.

“In Tasmania, this is the biggest [mass stranding] we’ve recorded,” Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said.

He said the pod might have been drawn into the coast to feed or by the misadventure of one or two.

“It’s really likely this was the one stranding event of a big group. This would have been one big group offshore,” Dr Carlyon said.

Experts have labelled the operation “one of the trickiest” due to the number of animals and unique tides in the area.

Authorities are also considering how to handle the grim task of getting rid of the carcasses.

-with AAP

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