Dozens of fake killer whales stranded on Australian beaches and were euthanized – Country
Marine experts gave up hopes of saving more than 150 fake killer whales, officials said Wednesday.
Veterinarians, including veterinarians, found 157 whales on a naked surfing beach Tuesday afternoon at the scene near the Arthur River on the northwest coast of Tasmania.
The unfavorable ocean and weather conditions that the whale was rescued on Wednesday will last for several days, accident controller Shelley Graham said.
“We were already in the water this morning and have been resettled and tried to re-release the two whales, but have not succeeded because the ocean conditions do not allow animals to pass through rest. These animals are constantly restricted,” Graham said in a statement.
Marine biologist Kris Carlyon said survivors will be euthanized.
“The longer these animals stay, the longer they suffer. All alternatives are unsuccessful,” Carion said.
The department said there were 136 survivors Wednesday morning, but the assessment was revised to 90 in a few hours.
The inaccessibility of beaches, ocean conditions and challenges of bringing professional equipment to remote areas complicate the response.
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Young whales weigh only 500 kg (1,100 lbs), while adults weigh 3 tons (3.3 tons). Although their name is that the fake killer whale is one of the largest members of the dolphin family.
In this photo provided by the Tasmanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, a woman inspected a remote beach near Arthur River in the Australian Island state on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 After more than 150 fake killer whales, the whale was inspected. Tasmania.
NRE via AP
Department liaison officer Brendon Clark said that since 1974, the stranding was the first of the fake killer whales in Tasmania. This is a pod of more than 160 whales landing on the beach near Stanley on the northwest coast. The stranding in Tasmania is usually a flying whale.
Clark refused to speculate on why the latest pods might be stuck. He said clues about the dead whale's body would be examined.
He said a helicopter reconnaissance Tuesday afternoon determined that there were no other whales within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of the stranded pod.
By the early hours of Wednesday, some people could have stayed for up to 48 hours.
Arthur River resident Jocelyn Flint said her son found stranded whales while fishing at midnight.
She said she had already gone to the scene in the dark morning and returned after dawn, but the whale was too big to shoot again.
“The water is surging, they are falling. They are just dying, they are addicted to the beach,” Flint said Wednesday morning. “I think it’s too late.
“There are little babies. One end, there are a lot of big ones. It's sad,” she added.
In 2022, 230 flying whales were stranded on the west coast of Port Macquarie.
The largest massive stranding in Australian history occurred at the same port in 2020, when 470 long-standing pilot whales were stuck on the sandbar. Most beach whales die in two cases.
The reason for the beach is not yet known. Causes may include disorientation caused by loud noises, illness, old age, injury, escape from predators and bad weather.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
