Some of the 70 long-finned pilot whales stranded on a Western Australian beach have died, after an overnight vigil by wildlife experts.
“Rescue efforts for live whales continue,” the Parks and Wildlife Service said on Wednesday.
The number of dead whales is yet to be determined.
The pod of long-finned pilot whales was spotted swimming perilously close to Cheynes beach, 60km east of Albany, on Tuesday morning.
As the day progressed, the pod began moving closer to the beach, sparking the concern of Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions officers.
By 4pm a large stretch of the shoreline was covered in beached whales.
As night approached DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service staff arrived and set up camp for an overnight stay to monitor the welfare of the whales within a safety zone.
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The team included Perth zoo veterinarians and marine fauna experts, along with specialised equipment, including vessels and slings.
Meanwhile, crews have been inundated by hundreds of offers for help to rescue the whales.
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“We now have enough registered volunteers and the best way to help is for members of the public to stay away from Cheynes beach on Wednesday,” the department said on its Facebook page.
There are a number of hazards in the area, including large, distressed and potentially sick whales, sharks, waves, heavy machinery and vessels.
Wildlife experts have speculated the unusual behaviour of the whales could be an indicator of stress or illness within the pod.
Pilot whales are highly social animals and often maintain complex familial relationships with their pods from birth.
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