Beached whales swim free from Qld island

Rangers have successfully freed five of seven killer whales that were stranded off Fraser Island. Source: AAP

A RARE stranding of seven killer whales off Queensland's Fraser Island has ended, after the surviving five were successfully refloated.

Two of the whales died, reportedly a mother and her calf, around 9am (AEST) on Wednesday.

Rescuers have managed to free the surviving five, including two around 5pm (AEST) on the rising tide.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services says the rescue has been a success with all five last seen swimming south, away from shallow waters.

Rescuers were initially afraid the whales' strong social bond meant they would remain in the area and risk being stranded again.

Sea World's marine expert Trevor Long says there are not many killer whale strandings worldwide let alone off Queensland's coast.

He says they are smart animals and rarely ventured into shallow waters.

"I'm not sure why they would be there," Mr Long said.

"Whether they are following some type of food into there, that might be seal or whale, I don't know.

"It's certainly unusual to see them in those shallow waters inside Great Sandy Strait (off Fraser Island)."

Killer whales follow the humpback whale migration to prey on calves.

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