The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, reported a herd of 52 pilot whales came ashore Friday on Anthony's Beach near Stanley. Most of the sea mammals were dead by the time officials responded.

Rescue teams' goal was to keep them alive until high tide when they could be re-floated.

Tourist Terry Hennessy of Warragul said he tried to save the few whales that were alive when he came upon the scene.

"We dug trenches and rolled them in so they could sit upright and breathe," he said. "I think the most distressing part of it was the squeaking noise that one of the small ones was making."

Tasmania is frequently the scene of mass beachings of pilot whales. Cool weather conditions reduced the risk the whales would dry out and get sunburned, the newspaper said.