Latest news with #DepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentTasmania
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
False killer whales stranded in Australia are expected to be euthanized after unsuccessful rescue mission
More than 150 false killer whales have washed up on the coast of the Australian island state of Tasmania, with none of them expected to survive, officials said Wednesday. The 157 whales were found Tuesday afternoon on a remote beach near Arthur River on Tasmania's northwest coast. By Wednesday afternoon, only 90 appeared to still be alive, The Associated Press reported, citing the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Officials said rescue efforts had been hindered by poor conditions and that similar weather was expected for at least the next two days. 'We have been out in the water this morning and have relocated and attempted to refloat two whales, but didn't have success as the ocean conditions weren't allowing the animals to get past the break,' Incident Controller Shelley Graham said in a department statement. 'The animals are continuously restranding.'The remaining live whales are expected to be euthanized. 'The longer these animals are out stranded, the longer they are suffering,' marine biologist and Deputy Incident Controller Kris Carlyon said in the statement. 'All alternative options have been unsuccessful, euthanizer is always a last resort.' The animals resemble killer whales but are actually large members of the dolphin family. False killer whales can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and generally live in deep offshore waters in tropical and subtropical oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric reason for the beaching on Tuesday is unclear. They were the first false killer whales since 1974 to become stranded in Tasmania, where beachings typically involve pilot whales. In 2022, about 200 of 230 pilot whales died after becoming stranded further down Tasmania's west coast in Macquarie Harbor. Macquarie Harbor was also the site of the worst mass stranding in Australian history in 2020, when fewer than 100 pilot whales survived out of 470 that became stuck on can occur for a variety of reasons including navigation errors, sickness, old age, injury, bad weather and hunting too close to shore. This article was originally published on
NBC News
19-02-2025
- General
- NBC News
False killer whales stranded in Australia are expected to be euthanized after unsuccessful rescue mission
More than 150 false killer whales have washed up on the coast of the Australian island state of Tasmania, with none of them expected to survive, officials said Wednesday. The 157 whales were found Tuesday afternoon on a remote beach near Arthur River on Tasmania's northwest coast. By Wednesday afternoon, only 90 appeared to still be alive, The Associated Press reported, citing the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Officials said rescue efforts had been hindered by poor conditions and that similar weather was expected for at least the next two days. 'We have been out in the water this morning and have relocated and attempted to refloat two whales, but didn't have success as the ocean conditions weren't allowing the animals to get past the break,' Incident Controller Shelley Graham said in a department statement. 'The animals are continuously restranding.' The remaining live whales are expected to be euthanized. 'The longer these animals are out stranded, the longer they are suffering,' marine biologist and Deputy Incident Controller Kris Carlyon said in the statement. 'All alternative options have been unsuccessful, euthanizer is always a last resort.' The animals resemble killer whales but are actually large members of the dolphin family. False killer whales can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and generally live in deep offshore waters in tropical and subtropical oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The reason for the beaching on Tuesday is unclear. They were the first false killer whales since 1974 to become stranded in Tasmania, where beachings typically involve pilot whales. In 2022, about 200 of 230 pilot whales died after becoming stranded further down Tasmania's west coast in Macquarie Harbor. Macquarie Harbor was also the site of the worst mass stranding in Australian history in 2020, when fewer than 100 pilot whales survived out of 470 that became stuck on sandbars. Beachings can occur for a variety of reasons including navigation errors, sickness, old age, injury, bad weather and hunting too close to shore.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Over 150 false killer whales stranded on Tasmania beach, Australia
False killer whales stranded near Arthur River on Tasmania's west coast, Australia, on February 19, 2025 [Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AAP/via Reuters] Listen to article Over 150 false killer whales have been stranded on a beach in Tasmania, Australia, with only 90 still alive, as rescue teams race against time to save them. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed the mass stranding near Arthur River, located on Tasmania's northwest coast, around 400km (250 miles) from Hobart. The whales have been stranded for an estimated 24 to 48 hours. Brendon Clark, a liaison officer at Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service, stated that although the situation is dire, experts are on-site, evaluating rescue options. However, he noted that re-floating the whales directly into the ocean presents significant challenges and safety risks. "We're currently assessing the situation carefully, but getting the necessary equipment to such a remote location and dealing with the tough conditions is complicating our response," Clark explained. Local resident Jocelyn Flint described the scene, saying her son discovered the stranded whales at around midnight on Tuesday. She witnessed the whales struggling in the sand and said the situation was heartbreaking, especially with young calves among them. False killer whales, a species of oceanic dolphin that resemble killer whales, can grow up to 6.1 metres (20 feet) long and weigh up to 3 metric tonnes (about 6,600 pounds). This incident marks the first stranding of false killer whales in Tasmania since 1974. The cause of the stranding remains unclear, but common factors include disorientation, illness, injury, or fleeing from predators. The authorities have urged the public to refrain from interfering with the carcasses, as all whale species are protected under Australian law.
The Guardian
18-02-2025
- General
- The Guardian
More than 150 whales stranded on beach in remote north-western Tasmania
More than 150 whales have stranded on a beach near Arthur River, on Tasmania's remote north-west coast. A group of 157 animals that appear to be false killer whales have stranded, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, with initial observations showing 136 animals were still alive. Marine conservation experts including wildlife veterinarians arrived to the site on Wednesday morning. '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 environment department said in a statement. Authorities emphasised there was an active bushfire on the state's west coast and urged the public to avoid the stranding area. 'If it is determined there is a need for help from the general public, a request will be made through various avenues,' the department said. This article includes content provided by Facebook. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. 'All whales are protected species, even once deceased, and it is an offence to interfere with a carcass.' The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is due to provide an update on the situation at a press conference at 10am Hobart time. The Tasmanian environment department's stranding responses are guided by a 'cetacean incident manual', which was reviewed following Australia's worst mass whale stranding in 2020. In that incident, more than 450 long-finned pilot whales beached inside Macquarie Harbour, also on Tasmania's west coast. Two mass strandings in Tasmanian waters also occurred within a week in September 2022. The false killer whale, despite its common name, is a highly sociable species of dolphin. The animals, which grow to around 6 metres long, forms large pods that can predispose them to mass strandings. More to come …
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sad find washed up on Aussie beach prompts urgent plea
A large pod of 157 whales have beached themselves on a remote beach in Tasmania — prompting an urgent plea to the public from authorities. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) told Yahoo News it believes 136 of the animals are still alive as they lie helpless on the sand. The animals appear to be false killer whales. NRE explained the stranding near Arthur River on the west coast is at a remote location and this is hindering the rescue mission as the lack of road access is making it "fairly inaccessible". Authorities have warned that due to bushfires on the west coast of the island, the public is encouraged to stay away. "The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania's Marine Conservation Program (MCP) is working alongside staff from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to conduct initial assessments and plan an appropriate response," a spokesperson said. "All whales are protected species, even once deceased, and it is an offence to interfere with a carcass."Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
