In a distressing event on Tasmania’s west coast, more than 150 false killer whales found themselves stranded near the Arthur River. By Wednesday morning, only 90 of these majestic creatures remained alive, prompting Australian wildlife officers to make the heartrending decision to euthanize them. The whales, a protected species in Tasmania, had become disoriented and distressed after hours on the beach, unable to navigate back to sea due to harsh weather conditions.
The incident controller, Shelley Graham, highlighted the challenges faced by the rescue teams. Despite their best efforts, the whales "just keep turning around and coming back towards the beach," hindered by strong winds and rough seas. The remote and inaccessible location further complicated rescue attempts, as noted by Brendon Clark from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.
Animal behaviorists and marine scientists emphasize that survival rates for beached whales are alarmingly low. Beached whales can only survive for approximately six hours on land before their condition begins to deteriorate. This situation was exacerbated by the inability to send necessary equipment to assist in the rescue mission.
This unfortunate stranding marks the most significant event of its kind in Tasmania since June 1974, when a pod of 160 to 170 false killer whales was discovered at Black River beach on the island’s northern coast. The reasons behind such mass strandings remain elusive, as Dr. Angus Henderson points out, "It’s not often clear why whales strand, but they have been stranding for many centuries across the world’s coastlines, including en mass."
Rescue teams did attempt to guide two whales back to the sea; however, their efforts were thwarted as the animals repeatedly returned to shore. The whales' inability to break past the rough sea conditions was a significant obstacle in their rescue. Graham reiterated, "They just can’t get past the break to get out."
In Tasmania, interfering with a whale carcass is considered an offense due to their protected status. This regulation underscores the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures even in death. The stranded false killer whales, weighing between 500 kilograms to about three tons each, represent a significant loss to the marine ecosystem.
