More than 150 false killer whales have washed up on the northwest coast of Tasmania, with officials indicating that survival is unlikely for the stranded marine mammals. The group of 157 whales was found near Arthur River on Tuesday, but by Wednesday afternoon, only 90 appeared to still be alive. Challenging weather conditions have hindered rescue efforts, complicating attempts to refloat the animals. “The animals are continuously restranding,” noted incident controller Shelley Graham.
Marine biologist Kris Carlyon highlighted that euthanasia may be the only option, as continued stranding results in increased suffering for the whales, which are large members of the dolphin family.
The cause of this beaching incident is still unclear, making it the first of its kind involving false killer whales in Tasmania since 1974. The area often experiences pilot whale strandings, including a devastating event in 2020 when just a small number of 470 pilot whales survived. Beachings can occur for various reasons, including navigation errors, illness, and adverse weather, with euthanasia considered a last resort in such instances.
