Tas: Whales found stranded in Tasmania's north

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2005
Tas: Whales found stranded in Tasmania's north

HOBART, Dec 13 AAP - Four whales have been found stranded on a beach in northern Tasmania.

Campers discovered the mammals, believed to be sperm whales, on a stretch of Bakers
Beach in Narawntapu National Park about 11.30am (AEDT) today.

Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Liz Wren said a rescue team was headed for the site,
but it was too early to say if the whales could be saved.

"There were three live whales and one that appears to be dead and they think that they
are sperm whales," Ms Wren said. "It hasn't been confirmed, but just because of their
size it's thought they're sperm whales."

Ms Wren said the whales were eight to 10 metres long and were believed to be stranded
about 100 metres up the beach.

A spotting plane was despatched to see if there were any other whales in the area.

Ms Wren said a rescue team of more than 15 people - including marine conservation specialists
- was headed for the site under a joint operation by the Department of Primary Industries,
Water and Environment and Parks and Wildlife.

"Because they're such big animals, rescue is problematic, but there have been successful
rescues, it just depends on how far up the beach they are, how big they are and what condition
they're in."

Rescuers will pour water over the whales to keep them cool while plans to return them
to the water are devised.

AAP cb/gfr/jm/bwl

KEYWORD: WHALES

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