About half of the nearly 100 pilot whales that got stranded on a beach in western Australia have died despite rescue efforts on July 25, 2023. The pod of long-finned pilot whales was first spotted swimming near Cheynes Beach east of Albany. As the day progressed, the pod began moving closer to the beach, alarming conservation officers. Wildlife experts said the whale's unusual behavior could be an indicator of stress or illness within the pod. Pilot whales are highly social animals and often maintain close relationships within their pods throughout their lives.