Australian authorities are euthanizing about 90 stranded false killer whales that survived a mass beaching near Arthur River in Tasmania. The pod originally comprised 157 whales, of which the majority died shortly after stranding. A team of experts stated that the challenging conditions at the site made rescue efforts impossible, as the surviving whales were already under severe stress after being left for 24-48 hours.
Local residents were disturbed by the sight of the whales, especially the younger ones, which appeared to be calling for help. Access to the remote site has been complicated by difficult terrain, making transportation of rescue equipment a significant challenge. Attempts to refloat some whales were unsuccessful as they continually returned to the beach.
With similar conditions expected to persist, wildlife veterinarians made the difficult decision to euthanize the remaining whales to alleviate their suffering. Plans for the disposal of the bodies are complicated by the site’s cultural significance to Aboriginal people. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area due to nearby bushfires and limited access.
Tasmania has experienced several mass whale strandings in recent years, and over 80% of such incidents in Australia occur in this region. The reasons behind these strandings remain a topic of research, with theories ranging from confusion during hunting to the leadership of one individual whale leading the group ashore.
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