Twilight vigil: paying tribute to the failed rescue of 97 long-finned pilot whales and community efforts

Physically and emotionally bruised, about 50 people turned up at Cheynes Beach on Saturday afternoon to hold a vigil for the 97 pilot whales which died after a desperate two-day rescue attempt ended in tragedy. Many of the volunteers heard about the strange gathering of whales on Tuesday morning through social media and responded to the Parks and Wildlife Service’s call for volunteers. While many lamented the sad finale to the rescue efforts, many used the occasion as closure for the hard efforts they put in over the two days. Local Jo Mitchell — one of many who put themselves through gruelling physical conditions to save the whales received a black eye and a fractured rib during the attempt. “I was assisting a group of people and we were bringing the whales up onto the beach,” she said. “I was at the back end holding the tarp we were carrying them on, and as we got up onto the shore the whale kind of tilted a little bit and flipped his tale and I got knocked, and the lady next to me was also knocked and hit the sand. “It was a bit of a blur, I don’t really know what hit me. “But I got a knock to the eye and a fractured rib as well, which I didn’t really notice at the time because of the adrenaline going. “And it was only when I got home a few hours later that I actually realised I had hurt myself.” Helen Sugg registered for volunteering efforts to help rescue the whales and, after receiving the call, made her way down in a wetsuit borrowed from her son. “It wasn’t chaotic in the water, it was really calm, really peaceful,” Ms Sugg said. “Everyone was just kind of chatting quietly amongst themselves and the whales were really calm. Year 11 student and aspiring marine biologist Aniqua Gray was out in the water with the whales during the rescue effort and later suffered hypothermia. “I came out at about 6am the day of the stranding and was out in the water for about an hour,” she said. “Every time I turned around, there was a whale’s tail coming out of the water and one hit me in the head. “But they were just trying to float, so it’s not their fault.” Holding out hope the failed rescue doesn’t go to waste, Aniqua hopes research into whales beaching themselves can further develop. “I’m just hoping that the marine biologists and scientists can figure out why the whales beach themselves,” she said. Ms Sugg also shared similar sentiments about potential research and outcomes following the efforts. “I hope they can learn, find out something. “I mean it’s always been one of those unanswered questions, you just don’t know why they do it. “But I guess every time it does happen they learn more. “For me, it was a personal connection, all these people came out from all over the place I’ve never met before, which was amazing. “Hopefully they find out why, so they can stop it from happening again.”