SYDNEY, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A rescue operation is underway on Fridayto save over 150 short finned pilot whales that have washed up and become stranded on a beach in Western Australia.
The saddening scene at Hamelin Bay, 315 km south of Perth, has seen droves of shocked onlookers arrive at the shoreline in an attempt to help Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) save the animals.
"It becomes quite an emotive issue and the public will themselves want to get involved," DBCA incident controller Jeremy Chick told local media.
"It is certainly terrific to have them on site, but they need to work under the guidance of Parks and Wildlife Services staff and make sure the incident is controlled and managed properly."
Unfortunately however, the strength of the animals as well as the wet and windy weather condition have hampered the rescuers' attempts to move the whales into deeper water.
"The main objectives are to ensure the safety of staff and volunteers, as well as (ensuring) the whales' greatest chance of survival," Chick said.
With many surfers in the area readying for huge swells as a result of tropical Cyclone Marcus further out to sea, the Department of Primary Industries has issued a shark warning and closed every beach in the 20 kilometers between Hamelin Bay and Boranup.
"It is possible the dead and dying animals will act as an attractant, which could lead to sharks coming close into shore along this stretch of coast," the department warned.
"While it's not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australia coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution until the stranding incident is resolved."
Strangely, on the same day (March 23) in 2009, 80 pilot whales and dolphins also became stranded at Hamelin Bay.
The largest such incident in Western Australia occurred when 320 long-finned pilot whales beached themselves in Dunsborough, 250 kilometers south of Perth in 1996.