KATHMANDU: At least a third of 270 whales stranded off the coast of Australia’s Tasmania have died and more are feared to be dying, BBC reported.

The mass stranding on the west coast of the island was discovered on Monday.

Marine biologists are scrambling to save the remaining pilot whales in a tricky operation likely to take days.

It’s unknown what drew the whales to the shore. Whale beachings are common in the region, but one of this size has not been seen since 2009.

Scientists from the Tasmanian Maritime Conservation Program said the whales were found in three groups across Macquarie Heads – a remote tip of the island with limited vessel and road access.

Rescuers arrived at the scene late on Monday, discovering hundreds more animals in peril than had been first spotted from the air.

(With inputs from Agencies)