Over a hundred whales stranded on Australia's west coast

Marine wildlife experts rushed to the Australian state of Western Australia on Thursday to rescue four pods of pilot whales stranded in a remote estuary.

The whales were stranded at Toby Inlet, about 236 km south of state capital Perth, the Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said.

 "We understand there are four pods of up to 160 pilot whales in total spread across about 500 meters. Unfortunately, 26 whales that stranded on the beach have died," a department spokesperson said in a statement.

In July last year, more than 50 pilot whales died after stranding on a remote Western Australia beach.

 Pilot whales are notorious for their tight-knit social bonds, so when one gets into difficulty and strands, the rest often follow, according to marine experts at the University of Western Australia.

Killer whales trapped in ice off Japan's Hokkaido
Scientists puzzled by killer whale boat attacks off Spain

(Production: James Redmayne)