Grim end to stranding of false killer whales
Rescue efforts have failed for a pod of 157 false killer whales beached on a remote coastline, with authorities forced to begin euthanasia.
Authorities will begin the bleak task of euthanising dozens of false killer whales after 157 beached on Tasmania’s remote west coast – a hotspot for strandings.
Crews tried unsuccessfully to re-float two of the mammals on Wednesday after members of the public reported the group had become stuck near Arthur River the previous night.
Authorities say about 90 of the whales still alive on the beach will be euthanised by firearm over coming days, in accordance with world-best practice.
Rough seas, windy conditions and rugged terrain have complicated the rescue and hampered efforts to get equipment to the site.
Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service incident controller Shelley Graham said the whales they tried to re-float continually re-stranded.
“The swell is up quite a lot. It is quite windy and rough and the animals can’t get past the (surf) break to get out,” she told reporters.
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“It is really unfavourable for getting the whales out into the water unfortunately.
“Following expert veterinarian assessments we have decided euthanasia is necessary for animal welfare reasons.”
Rough seas, windy conditions and rugged terrain have complicated the rescue and hampered efforts to get equipment to the site. Image: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania via AAP
State environment department wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said misadventure was the likely reason for the stranding.
“(This species has) really strong social bonds and it can be one individual that is sick or disorientated that can draw the rest of the pod ashore,” he said.
“It is a really complex area for these guys to navigate … any mistake can bring the group ashore.”
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It is the first mass stranding of false killer whales in Tasmania in about 50 years.
Macquarie University wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta said a race against time began as soon as a whale or dolphin stranded.
“The moment a whale or dolphin strands, the clock of survival starts ticking. The longer they remain on land, the less of a chance they may have to be successfully returned,” she said.
“Perhaps it’s the geographical location, which make it difficult to navigate around. This is just one of many theories that may help understand why this happens.”
In footage posted to social media on Wednesday, some of the stranded whales could be seen breathing and moving.
Wildlife workers are reluctant to bring heavy machinery onto the beach to remove carcasses, because of the remote location and nearby sensitive Indigenous sites.
People have also been advised to avoid the area because of a bushfire, which has put a further strain on rescue resources.
In 2022, about 230 pilot whales got into trouble in shallow water at the heads of Macquarie Harbour.
The environment department said all whales – living or deceased – are a protected species and it is an offence to interfere with a carcass.
