Dolphins die in mass stranding in WA’s south-west

The Department of Conservation and Land Management
News release

4th March 2006  


The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has confirmed that all of the dolphins involved in a mass stranding on a remote south-west beach yesterday are dead, despite efforts to rescue nine found alive last night.

About 40 striped dolphins beached themselves yesterday afternoon along a 30 kilometre stretch of coast between Black Point and the mouth of the Warren River in D’Entrecasteaux National Park south west of Pemberton.

Donnelly District Manager, John Gillard, said CALM staff and volunteers had worked into the night in an attempt to rescue the nine dolphins.

“About 22 CALM staff and volunteers worked with a local veterinarian in an attempt to rescue the nine dolphins found alive on the D’Entrecasteaux National Park beach,” he said.

“Unfortunately, in spite of the tremendous effort made by the people on-site none of the dolphins could be saved.”

The surviving dolphins were located along a four kilometre section of coast that was not accessible to four wheel drive vehicles.

CALM staff used quad bikes to gain access to the site.

Mr Gillard said CALM staff and the spotter aircraft would continue to monitor D’Entrecasteaux National Park for further strandings.

Park visitors are asked not to touch the animals found on the beach and to report any sightings of new strandings to the CALM office in Pemberton on 9776 1207.



Media contact: CALM Media Relations, (08) 9389 8644 or 0408926026.

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