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16 Beached Whales Killed in Australia

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Associated Press

Sixteen killer whales stranded on a remote beach on the south coast of western Australia were killed Sunday after veterinarians decided that they would not survive a rescue attempt.

The whales were spotted off the coast Sunday morning, the day after volunteers saved 32 whales that had been beached nearby. After a two-day operation involving hundreds of volunteers, the 32 whales were returned to the water Saturday evening.

A helicopter sent early Sunday to check that they had not stranded themselves again spotted the second group beached high on a stretch of coast inaccessible to vehicles. Wildlife officers believe both groups may have been part of a much larger group forced by heavy storms last week to shallow water, where their navigational systems may have become confused.

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Officials said the 16 were in “pitiful condition,” severely dehydrated and bruised, with liver and extensive tissue damage, unable to survive a rescue attempt.

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