Mystery over deaths of whales and dolphins

MORE than 100 whales and 10 dolphins have been found dead on a remote beach on Tasmania’s west coast.

David Pemberton, curator at the Tasmanian Museum, said 110 long-finned pilot whales and 10 bottle-nosed dolphins were found dead at Point Hibbs, south of the fishing town of Strahan.

Pemberton, who was among scientists who flew over the remote spot in a helicopter, said the marine mammals had probably been dead for several days. Tasmania’s Environment Minister Bryan Green said: “This type of event is always the cause of much sadness.”