Australian rescuers optimistic about beached sperm whale pod

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian wildlife officers attempting to rescue a pod of sperm whales that beached themselves on the rugged coast of the island state of Tasmania said Thursday that most appeared to have survived.

Tasmanian water department spokesman Brent Blackburn said two of the nine sperm whales had died but the remaining seven appeared to be swimming freely, although they were still trapped in Macquarie Harbour.

The whales beached themselves on sandbanks in the harbour Wednesday but the survivors managed to free themselves overnight.

Blackburn said the whales could not get out of the harbour because of its shallow, narrow entrance, known locally as "Hell's Gate".

Wildlife ranger Chris Arthur said rescuers were still deciding on the most...