Rescuers hope to save nearly 200 whales stuck in a remote Australian harbour, and to prevent the toll of 90 dead -- as of Tuesday -- from rising further.

They have so far managed to free "a small number" of the stranded mammals.

Scientists said two large pods of long-finned pilot whales became stuck on sandbars in Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania's rugged and sparsely populated west coast.

About 60 people -- including volunteers and local fish-farm workers -- then got involved in the rescue attempt. They waded in the water to reach the whales to refloat them in deeper passages.

Though mass whale strandings occur relatively often in Tasmania, such a large group has not been seen in the area for more than a decade.

The animals are only accessible by boat, limiting the number of rescuers who can reach them. They are battling chilly and rainy conditions as well as the harbour's unusual tides, which are dictated by barometric pressure.

Most of a 30-strong group on a nearby beach&nbsp;were found dead Monday, while about 60 other whales on the sandbars are also believed to have since died.

Once the whales are returned to deeper water, rescuers said, the biggest challenge will be herding the social creatures out of the sandbar-riddled harbour and back into the open ocean.

Scientists said it was unclear what caused the latest stranding.

Rescuers hope to save nearly 200 whales stuck in a remote Australian harbour, and to prevent the toll of 90 dead -- as of Tuesday -- from rising further. They have so far managed to free "a small number" of the stranded mammals.

Rescuers hope to save nearly 200 whales stuck in a remote Australian harbour, and to prevent the toll of 90 dead -- as of Tuesday -- from rising further. They have so far managed to free "a small number" of the stranded mammals. Scientists said two large pods of long-finned pilot whales became stuck on sandbars in Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania's rugged and sparsely populated west coast. About 60 people -- including volunteers and local fish-farm workers -- then got involved in the rescue attempt. They waded in the water to reach the whales to refloat them in deeper passages. Though mass whale strandings occur relatively often in Tasmania, such a large group has not been seen in the area for more than a decade. The animals are only accessible by boat, limiting the number of rescuers who can reach them. They are battling chilly and rainy conditions as well as the harbour's unusual tides, which are dictated by barometric pressure. Most of a 30-strong group on a nearby beach were found dead Monday, while about 60 other whales on the sandbars are also believed to have since died. Once the whales are returned to deeper water, rescuers said, the biggest challenge will be herding the social creatures out of the sandbar-riddled harbour and back into the open ocean. Scientists said it was unclear what caused the latest stranding.

Rescuers' race against time to save 180 stranded whales in Australia

All but six of more than 150 short-finned pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in Western Australia have died, despite efforts from authorities and local beachgoers to save them, officials said on Saturday.

The marine mammals stranded themselves in Hamelin Bay, 315 km (198 miles) south of the state&#39;s capital, Perth, between March 22 and 23.

Authorities, veterinarians and locals who were visiting the beach attempted to save 15 of the migrating cetaceans in shallow waters, however, only seven were able to successfully be placed back in the water.

A spokeswoman from Western Australia&#39;s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said one whale beached itself again and had to be euthanised. So far, the remaining six whales appear to have survived although incident controller Jeremy Chick said they could attempt to beach themselves at another location.

Pilot whales, which are part of the dolphin family, weigh between one and four tons each, providing a logistical challenge to local authorities, who are now working on disposing of the carcasses.

While whales regularly get stranded on the coastal strip migrating between Antarctic feeding grounds in the south and warmer northern waters where they raise their young, the large number this time is unusual.

There was a previously recorded mass stranding in 1996 when 320 long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves just north of Hamelin Bay and died.

Locals and tourists have been warned to stay out of the water due to a likely increase in sharks attracted by the dead whales. The beach has been temporarily closed while authorities dispose of the deceased whales.

All but six of more than 150 short-finned pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in Western Australia have died, despite efforts from authorities and local beachgoers to save them, officials said on Saturday

All but six of more than 150 short-finned pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in Western Australia have died, despite efforts from authorities and local beachgoers to save them, officials said on Saturday. The marine mammals stranded themselves in Hamelin Bay, 315 km (198 miles) south of the state's capital, Perth, between March 22 and 23. Authorities, veterinarians and locals who were visiting the beach attempted to save 15 of the migrating cetaceans in shallow waters, however, only seven were able to successfully be placed back in the water. A spokeswoman from Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said one whale beached itself again and had to be euthanised. So far, the remaining six whales appear to have survived although incident controller Jeremy Chick said they could attempt to beach themselves at another location. Pilot whales, which are part of the dolphin family, weigh between one and four tons each, providing a logistical challenge to local authorities, who are now working on disposing of the carcasses. While whales regularly get stranded on the coastal strip migrating between Antarctic feeding grounds in the south and warmer northern waters where they raise their young, the large number this time is unusual. There was a previously recorded mass stranding in 1996 when 320 long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves just north of Hamelin Bay and died. Locals and tourists have been warned to stay out of the water due to a likely increase in sharks attracted by the dead whales. The beach has been temporarily closed while authorities dispose of the deceased whales.

Whales die after mass stranding in Australia

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Rescuers' race against time to save 180 stranded whales in Australia

Whales die after mass stranding in Australia