More than 150 whales stranded on remote Australian beach
More than 60 fake killer whales have died, and authorities have tried to save dozens after massive stranding on remote Australian beaches.
Tasmanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said there are 157 pods near the Arthur River in the northwest of the island.
Witnesses said about 90 animals were still alive, with conservation experts and veterinarians on site to assess whether anyone could be returned to the sea.
Tasmania has seen a series of massive whale chains in recent years – including the worst in the country In 2020 – But the fake killer whales haven’t been in trouble for more than 50 years.
Technically, fake killer whales are one of the largest dolphin species, such as the species of the same name of their orcas, which can be as long as 6m and 1.5t.
Authorities say the pod has been trapped at the site – about 300 kilometers from the city of Launceston – for 24 to 48 hours, which would be an uphill battle to save either.
“Preliminary assessments show that re-whale will be difficult to carry out due to the inaccessibility of the site, the conditions of the ocean and the challenges of bringing professional equipment to remote areas,” department spokesman Brendon Clarke told Media.
Although rescuers have successfully rescued whales in other recent stranding incidents on the West Coast, the complexity of the incident means the same technology cannot be used.
The team on site is sorting whales with the best chance of survival and trying to stay alive and comfortable while discussing rescue options.
Animal welfare is a top priority, but there are concerns about the safety and well-being of the rescue team.
“We have…tidal water surfed and ruptured surfing, so it would be challenging to try to revert the animals directly to that surf, and then, of course, it would also bring some huge amounts to our staff and staff. security risks.
“Because these are the fact that these are large animals, there is a possibility that they are in their deaths and may be twisting and walking around the beach, so there is (there is) the possibility that someone is injured.”
Sharks are also a problem.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the site, nearby bushfires and limited road access.
Local resident Jocelyn Flint told the ABC that her son found pods while fishing for sharks overnight and she headed to the scene Wednesday morning.
“There are babies… only their families. Their eyes are open and they look at me, like ‘help’.”
“It’s absolutely terrible. They’re all struggling.”
More than 80% of Australian whale chains occur in Tasmania – usually on its west coast.
In 2020, about 470 flying whales were stranded southward in Port Macquarie Despite rescue efforts, about 350 of them died. Another 200 lag in the same port in 2022.
Whales are highly social mammals known for stranded groups because they travel in large, closely connected communities that rely on continuous communication.
There are many theories about why beaches occur. Some experts say the animals are disorienting after fishing.
Others believe that one person mistakenly brings the entire group to shore.
