Whales saved from Australian beach

Six whales were heading back out to sea today after more than 500 people rescued the stranded pod from a western Australian beach.

The Gray’s Beaked whales were spotted in shallow water near the town of Busselton, about 120 miles south of Perth

By late afternoon one whale had already headed back out to sea while the others were following in slings towed by three boats, said Neil Taylor, a spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Land Management.

“Their chances of survival have been improved because they haven’t been damaged by their contact with the land,” he said.

Taylor said the community’s response to the whales’ plight had been fantastic, with more than 500 volunteers turning up to help – many keeping the whales cool and calm.

Gray’s Beaked whales are not commonly seen near the shore. Adults have small heads with long, narrow beaks and dark grey skins with pale spots on their underbellies. They grow to about 13 feet long.