STORY: Of the pilot whales stranded in Australia, only about 35 have survived so far. This was announced by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. About 230 animals were stranded on the west coast of the Australian state of Tasmania on Wednesday. The main focus is now on rescuing and releasing the remaining animals, it said. Operations Director Kris Carlyon said: “I think it’s inevitable that we’re going to lose a few more. These animals have been stranded for over 24 hours now. They’re in a really, really exposed, stressful situation. They can’t take it anymore holding up so well, they are no longer surrounded by cool water. Conditions for the animals have become much more difficult.” Helpers are on duty to moisten the whales’ bodies with water and wet towels. The Australian broadcaster ABC spoke of a “race against time”. Experts warned that even if the surviving whales were transported to the open sea, many could try to return to their stranded kin. Almost 500 pilot whales were stranded in the same place in 2020. Only a little over 100 animals could be saved at that time.