Nearly 200 whales and several dolphins beached themselves on King Island off Tasmania on 2 March 2009Photograph: John Nievaart/AFP/Getty ImagesAbout 50 of 194 pilot whales and seven dolphins stranded on King Island were still alivePhotograph: John Nievaart/AFP/Getty ImagesRescuers dug trenches in the sand to channel water close to the whalesPhotograph: AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers doused the mammals with water and draped wet fabric over their bodies to keep them coolPhotograph: John Nievaart/AFP/Getty ImagesMore than 100 King Island residents volunteered to help the effortsPhotograph: AFP/AFP/Getty ImagesA dolphin receives attentionPhotograph: John Nievaart/AFP/Getty ImagesMore than 100 volunteers used stretchers to carry dolphins into the shallows, and other officials used small boats and a jetski to pull whales out to seaPhotograph: AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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