Preparations are underway to move the seven-surviving short-finned pilot whales into deeper water by nightfall. The seven whales are the only ones still alive following a mass stranding of 150 whales early this morning at Hamelin Bay near Augusta. Parks and Wildlife Service Incident Controller Jeremy Chick said moving the surviving whales was proving to be logistically difficult due to the rocky beach terrain, the location of dead whales surrounding the live whales and rough seas. “We plan to move the seven surviving whales out to deeper water with the use of boats,” he said. “The conditions are challenging but we are doing all we can to give these animals the best chance of survival without risking the safety of staff and volunteers. “Once we…

Community celebrates UNESCO listing of Fitzgerald Biosphere on the south coastListing to raise profile of biosphere at an international level The McGowan Labor Government has praised the efforts of communities on the south coast, following the global recognition of the area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With Fitzgerald River National Park at its core, the new biosphere includes 1.5 million hectares of conservation estate, State waters, farmland, and industrial and urban areas. Fitzgerald River National Park was originally listed as a biosphere reserve in 1978, but required changes to meet the zoning criteria of the contemporary UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. In 2010, as a result of strong community support, the decision was made to renominate an extended biosphere reserve. The renomination was co-ordinated…