After the mass stranding of around 230 whales on the Tasmanian coast, only a few of the large marine mammals survive. We know from experience that the decomposition process on land takes a long time – and then there is the stench. Now the carcasses are to be disposed of in the open sea.
After the death of around 200 pilot whales on a beach in Tasmania, most of the animal carcasses are to be removed to the open sea. The Australian broadcaster ABC quoted a spokesman for the authorities as saying that the process of decomposition of the giant marine mammals on land is too slow. Exactly two years ago, when hundreds of whales were stranded in the same bay on the west coast, the emergency services had left most of the dead animals on the beach.
At the time, authorities had hoped for natural decomposition, “but that hasn’t happened in a satisfactory time frame,” said Brendon Clark of the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. The result: a terrible stench emanated from Ocean Beach at the time.
About 230 pilot whales (also known as pilot whales) were stranded in remote Macquarie Bay on Wednesday. According to eyewitnesses, half of them were still alive. On Thursday morning, this was only true for a few dozen of the animals. The helpers managed to bring 32 of the peaceful giants – some of which weigh two and a half tons – into deep water with heavy equipment and boats. More than 200 dead marine mammals remain on the beach, which are now to be taken into the ocean.
To prevent the carcasses from being washed ashore again later, they are to be brought to the edge of the continental shelf, which forms the transition to the deep sea. This is about 40 kilometers from the coast. The animals were pulled into the ocean with lines attached to boats, it said.
Two of the whales initially rescued have now also died after ten animals returned to shore – a typical characteristic of pilot whales that makes rescuing stranded animals a great challenge. The marine mammals form extremely close bonds with each other within their group. After mass strandings, surviving specimens often attempt to swim back to their friends and family.
