12 pilot whales dead in Bunbury harbour, Australia

© Bunbury Mail

Pilot whales stranded in Bunbury harbour

The fight to save members of a whale pod stranded at a beach in WA's south continues after a dozen long-finned pilot whales were confirmed dead.

The pod of whales became stranded along the breakwater wall and adjacent beach in Bunbury harbour early Monday and Department of Parks and Wildlife nature conservation leader Kim Williams said 12 whales had died in the stranding, while six were earlier herded out to sea.

© Department of Parks and Wildlife

Long-finned pilot whales at Bunbury harbour

"This afternoon's efforts have focussed on the rescue of four remaining whales that were stranded in the shallows, and they were pulled out to sea using a sling and boats," he said.

"Unfortunately one of these whales has re-stranded and is being taken out to deeper water again, while the other three are not swimming strongly and there is a chance they will also re-strand."

Around 50 people, including staff and volunteers from the Dolphin Discovery Centre helped with the rescue effort.

Rescuers said a confused whale looked as though it was trying to reach its calf on rocks but it wasn't there. In doing so, the whale continued to beach itself.

Rescuers had to bring the calf back to the shore in an attempt to coax the mother to stop.

"There is another pod of 15 long-finned pilot whales that has been swimming in the area all day, and we are hoping the whales we released this afternoon will join them.