120 whales and dolphins die in beachings

More than 120 whales and dolphins died after swimming onto beaches on two southern Australian islands, where rescue teams were desperately trying today to prevent others becoming stranded.

Ninety-seven animals – 72 pilot whales and 25 bottlenose dolphins – died after beaching yesterday on King Island between the Australian mainland and the south-east island state of Tasmania, state government environment spokesman Warwick Brennan said.