A mass stranding event has occurred on a remote beach near Arthur River in Tasmania, with over 150 false killer whales washing up on the shore. According to Brendon Clark from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), 90 of the stranded animals are still alive but refloating efforts are hindered by rough ocean conditions and site inaccessibility.
This is the first large mass stranding of false killer whales in around 50 years, with the cause of the event remaining unknown. The species is highly sociable and lives in large pods, making them more susceptible to mass strandings.
PWS officials are prioritizing the survival of those with the best chance of rescue, but efforts to refloat the animals directly into the surf are challenging due to the site’s conditions. Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist, warns that every minute counts in terms of survival, and longer stranded individuals have less chance of being successfully returned.
The incident is the latest in a series of mass strandings in Tasmania, with previous incidents involving pilot whales in 2020 and 2022. The remote location of Arthur River has made it impossible to move necessary equipment in time for refloating efforts.
PWS will conduct post-mortem investigations and sampling of deceased animals to determine the cause of the stranding, and are considering disposal methods that respect nearby Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/whales-stranded-tasmania-australia-beach-b2700596.html