Since 2008 an unprecedented number of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have stranded in Western Australia (WA). Between 1989 and 2007 the mean number of humpback whales ashore was between 2 and 3 animals (range: 0-5). In 2008 there were 13 strandings followed by 46 in 2009 and 16 in 2010. The aim of this project was to initiate the collection of data by post-mortem examination of stranded whales in 2011 in order to: 1) identify and characterise factors associated with strandings; and 2) determine baseline and epidemiological information on disease and the nutritional status of stranded whales
