A pod of nearly 100 whales was seen coming together in a heart shape off the coast of Australia just before tragedy struck.

The mesmerizing images were captured last July near Cheynes Beach in southern Western Australia.

The brightly lit photos shared by the Parks and Wildlife Service show whales unknowingly forming a heart pattern in the ocean. It was a beautiful sight that quickly turned somber.

Upon seeing this intriguing formation, the DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service Albany District promptly went to the scene to monitor the whales.

As they arrived, they urged the public to stay clear and not disturb the pod.

However, this picturesque moment turned into a dire situation when the whales began moving towards the beach and got stranded on the sand.

DBCA officers quickly took action to manage the crisis, with numerous volunteers stepping forward to help the stranded whales.

A team of trained professionals including veterinarians from Perth Zoo and marine fauna experts were also dispatched to assist.

Marine biologist Dr. Vanessa Pirotta described the sight as “incredible” during an interview with Sky News but mentioned that experts were puzzled about why the whales swam to the shore.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before. Pilot whales typically stay offshore and are quite social, but this is very unusual,” she said.

The rescue teams had specialized equipment, such as vessels and slings, to try and save the whales. Sadly, 51 whales could not be saved and died during the incident.

The Parks and Wildlife Service shared updates, stating that they, along with registered volunteers and various organizations, were working hard to return the remaining 46 whales to deeper waters.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with offers of help, and we now have enough volunteers,” the Service mentioned in a Facebook post.

For safety reasons, the public was advised to stay away from the beach.

“Our main focus is the safety of our staff and volunteers, as well as the welfare of the whales,” the Parks and Wildlife Service added.

They warned that the response zone presented several hazards, such as distressed and potentially sick whales, sharks, waves, heavy machinery, and vessels.

Dr. Pirotta suggested some possible reasons for the stranding. She speculated that the whales might have gathered around a sick member of their group, experienced navigational issues, or were trying to avoid predators like orcas.