Hobart: More than 100 whales have died in the Australian state of Tasmania. 230 pilot whales were stranded on the west coast of Tasmania. The sighting of whales in groups on the coast has caused concern among environmentalists.

Griffith University marine scientist Olaf Meinecke said it was unusual for whales to hit shore like this. He added that changes in ocean temperatures could alter the whales' feeding patterns. He then explained that they would move from their stand to other places in search of food and sometimes this would land them on land.

200 whales died during the rescue operation. Efforts are underway to return the 35 survivors to the depths of the sea.

A mass of whales struck Ocean Beach in the coastal town of Strahan. Whales also roosted on the sandbar in nearby Macquarie Harbour.

Sam Gerrity of Southwest Expeditions, which is involved in the rescue, said that the live whales that came ashore were safely returned to the sea by the shore and various rescuers.

Out of 230 whales washed ashore last day, only 35 are alive. Sam Gerrity said most of the marine mammals were also killed.

Where the frozen sea meets the land, the whales molt. In order to protect the living creatures, the locals cover them with wet clothes and so on.

Beached whales continue to be monitored as they may return to shore.

Rescuers usually dive into the water and help the whales to go deeper into the ocean. Officials said that this time, the whales are being lifted with the mechanical help of an aquaculture firm using machinery etc. It is delivered in the deep sea with the help of boats.

Days after 14 sperm whales were found dead off Australia's southeast coast, whales were also found in Tasmania. The whales were spotted on Monday off King Island in Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania's north coast. Australian wildlife officials have launched an investigation following the incident.

This is not the first time that so many whales have washed up on Australian shores. Two years ago on the same day, on September 21, 2020, more than 470 pilot whales washed ashore. Then the officials rescued 111 whales as part of a week-long rescue operation. Local residents were involved in the rescue operation that day.

Scientist Vanessa Pirotta said that the whale strike in the same place as before could be due to ecological reasons. The environment department also clarified that whales are a protected species.

It is not known exactly why the whales beached themselves. Scientists speculate that they may have come here because they got food close to the coast. Pilot whales can grow to over six meters (20 feet) in length. They are very friendly and prone to danger.