130 beached whales die in Australia

About 70 pilot whales died after becoming stranded on a remote beach in southern Australia, bringing the total to 130 over two days, a government official said today.

Two groups of long-finned pilot whales beached themselves near Marion Bay on the southern island state of Tasmania early yesterday, according to Liz Wren, a spokeswoman for the state’s parks and wildlife service. Nearly 60 whales died and about 10 were rescued, she said.