150 whales stranded on remote beach
More than 150 whales are stranded on a remote beach and an emergency rescue operation is trying to rescue the majority thought to still be alive.
Conservation experts and veterinarians had arrived at the hard-to-reach location near the Arthur River in the north-west of Tasmania, the state’s environment department said on Wednesday.
Initial observations suggest 136 of the 157 stranded mammals, which appear to be false killer whales, are alive.
Further assessments are being undertaken and a response plan is being developed.
“Stranding response in this area is complex due to the inaccessibility of the site, ocean conditions and the challenges of getting specialist equipment to the remote area,” the department said.
“If it is determined there is a need for help from the general public, a request will be made through various avenues.”
Australia’s largest recorded stranding involved 470 pilot whales occurred in 2020 at Macquarie Harbour, south of the Arthur River.
More than 150 false killer whales stranded on a remote beach in Tasmania.Credit: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
In 2022, about 230 pilot whales were in distress in shallow water at the heads of Macquarie Harbour.
