TASMANIA: More than 150 false killer whales have been stranded on a remote Tasmanian beach, prompting a massive rescue effort to save those still alive. Officials confirmed that 136 dolphins survived the ordeal, but the cause of the beaching remains unknown.
The endangered false killer whales, often mistaken for orcas, can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh around 3,000 pounds. They usually inhabit deep offshore waters, making this mass stranding even more puzzling.
The incident occurred on Tasmania’s northwest coast, near Arthur River, roughly 400 km from Hobart. The Tasmanian environment department described the rescue operation as highly challenging due to rough ocean conditions, the beach’s inaccessibility, and the difficulty of transporting specialist equipment to the site.
Mass strandings are not uncommon in Tasmania, which sits in a global stranding hotspot. Scientists continue to study why these events occur, with theories ranging from navigational errors to disturbances in the ocean’s magnetic fields.
Rescue teams are racing against time to return as many dolphins as possible to deeper waters. Authorities remain hopeful but acknowledge the difficult conditions and risks involved.
