Original story at ABC News
Five killer whales that were stranded near Fraser Island, off the southern Queensland coast, are now swimming free, but two others have died.
Stranded killer whales near Queensland's Fraser Island. Rescuers worked throughout the day to free five whales stranded on a sand bar off Fraser Island. Supplied: Qld Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
Rescuers worked throughout the day to free the pod of beached whales from a sand bar near Stewart Island, on Fraser Island's western side.
A female and her calf died this morning after overheating.
More than a dozen rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) worked to free the other whales, including four adults that are six to seven metres long and a juvenile about four metres long.
Earlier, QPWS acting regional director for the Sunshine and Fraser Coast, Peter Wright, said conditions had made the rescue operation difficult.
"Rangers have been attempting to keep the whales comfortable with water and shade while waiting for the tide to rise," he said in a statement.
"Conditions are difficult, with winds 20 to 25 knots.
"QPWS received a report early today and deployed rangers to investigate."
Mr Wright was hoping the whales could be freed during higher afternoon tides.
"Killer whales follow the humpback migration to prey on the calves," he said.
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