Rescue efforts under way as 230 whales beached in Tasmania

Whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania (Linton Kringle/Huon Aquaculture via AP)

About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmania’s west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the south-eastern coast.

The pod, which is stranded on Ocean Beach, appears to be pilot whales and at least half are presumed to still be alive, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said.