Tourists blasted after chaotic Anzac Day scenes at beach where 100 whales washed up: ‘Riding them like ponies’
Tourists have been advised they risk harming themselves and the animals if they try to help them on their own.
A popular Australian tourist beach has descended into chaos on Anzac Day after hundreds of tourists flocked to take selfies with a pod of dying stranded pilot whales. Rescuers told Yahoo News their efforts to save the animals were being hampered by the presence of children who are reportedly riding the bodies of dead whales, roaming dogs, and rubberneckers who have clogged the car park.
"Lots of people and some got in the way," one local man told Yahoo.
Earlier, over 100 whales were reported beached on Toby’s Inlet, near Dunsborough, 250 km south of Perth. The Department of Conservation (DBCA) immediately took to social media to remind those wishing to help that the whales were likely stressed and to stay away unless they had registered as a volunteer.
“The highest priority at mass whale stranding events is always human safety followed by animal welfare. We want all staff and volunteers to go home safe,” it said on social media on Thursday.
Unfortunately many people in the area did not listen, and many are reportedly inadvertently hampering rescue efforts. Yahoo does not suggest these accusations relate to anyone pictured in this story.
Reports of children riding dead whales like ponies and dogs causing a nuisance
An exhausted Sasha Boundy from Dunsborough and Busselton Wildlife Care was losing her voice as she spoke to Yahoo News late Thursday morning (local time) after several hours volunteering to help the whales. Over 25 whales have been pushed out sea by the volunteers and efforts were ongoing to save more. Sadly at least 23 have died.
But what's frustrating volunteers as they work alongside experienced staff from DBCA and vets from Perth Zoo, is the conduct of many of the onlookers. And they've issued a warning on social media for people to "please stay away".
"It's actually pretty disgusting down there. You've got kids sitting on the dead whales and riding them like ponies and people are taking photos. Which to me is like the ultimate disrespect," Boundy told Yahoo.
"Would you let your kids climb on a gravesite or memorial? No, probably not. So why are you letting your kids climb on dead whales? It's just disgusting.
"There's kids down there crying and getting lost. It's very traumatic down there. There's a lot of death. There are lots of upset people. There's dogs running around all over the place causing a nuisance. There's cars parked all over the place causing traffic chaos."
Boundy said with so many people at the beach taking photos, it's difficult for rescuers to communicate with one another to actually help the whales. "You can't see through the crowds of people," she added.
Related: Aussies urged to 'stay away' from rare 400kg creature lying in city
Tourist describes whale stranding as 'horrible'
A visitor to the beach described the situation as a “horrible sight”. “There are masses and masses of volunteers there, and they would have saved probably 20 so far. They’ve pulled them out to sea as far as they can,” she told WA Today.
There is no conclusive evidence about what causes whale strandings, but they have been linked to human activity and environmental changes. In 2023 close to 100 long-finned pilot whales died after they stranded themselves at Cheynes Beach, near Albany in WA. That year, dozens were also found dead on a remote Tasmanian beach.
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Rescue teams have reported they currently have enough volunteers. Anyone who wants to register their availability can contact the Parks and Wildlife Service Busselton office on (08) 9752 5555.
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