Hopes diminishing for false killer whales stranded on beach in Tasmania

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Over 150 whales are beached on Tasmania’s remote west coast.
Initial reports indicated 136 of the 157 stranded false killer whales were alive.
People have been advised to avoid the area of the latest stranding.

It appears unlikely any whales can be saved from a pod of 157 that remain stranded on a remote beach.

Wildlife experts and veterinarians, who are at the beach near the Arthur River on Tasmania’s west coast, believe the false killer whales have been stuck for 24-48 hours.

They estimate around 90 of the group remain alive.

Initial observations suggested 136 of the 157 stranded whales were alive. Source: Supplied / Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

The island state’s west coast is a noted hotspot for mass strandings, with .

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s Brendon Clark said it would be difficult to replicate harbour rescue techniques at the latest stranding.

“Initial assessments indicate refloating (whales) will be difficult,” he said on Wednesday.

“(This is) due to the inaccessibility of the site, ocean conditions and the challenges of getting specialised equipment to the remote area.”

The Arthur River stranding zone includes 200m of surging tidal water and is on an exposed beach, he said.

“To try and refloat the animals directly back into the surf would be challenging … it would present enormous safety risks for our staff and personnel,” Clark said.

It is the first mass stranding of false killer whales in Tasmania in around 50 years.

“At this stage we do not know why these animals have stranded and we won’t be speculating,” Clark said.

Some whales on the beach could be seen breathing and moving in footage posted by a member of the public to social media on Wednesday.

Clark said euthanasia of whales was an option, and an appropriate response to the stranding was being prepared.

Experts say the outlook is grim for the whales who beached themselves at the remote location. Source: Supplied / Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

He said a call-out for help from the general public would be made, if it was determined safe and necessary.

The parks and wildlife service is reluctant to bring heavy machinery onto the beach to remove carcasses, because of the remote location and nearby sensitive Indigenous sites.

People have been advised to avoid the area because of a bushfire, which has put a strain on rescue resources.

“We’re conscious of fatigue and ensuring whenever we put somebody onto a rescue or response … that they are adequately prepared and well rested,” Clark said.

“All whales are protected species, even once deceased, and it is an offence to interfere with a carcass,” the environment department said.