- Rescuers are on the scene of a very dire situation on a remote beach in Tasmania. More than 130 false killer whales have washed ashore.
- Experts are on location and have been trying to save them, with little success so far.
- Rough seas, including surging and thrashing water, are keeping the rescuers from floating them back out to their habitat. As a result, the beached whales will have to be euthanized, so they do not continue to suffer.
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A number of false killer whales have washed ashore and are stranded on a remote beach in the Australian state of Tasmania. Experts now say they have given up hope of rescuing the 157 creatures.
Where specifically are the whales stranded?
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said veterinarians are on the scene near the Arthur River, where the whales are beached. False killer whales get their name because of the shape of their skull.
What are the major difficulties with rescuing and treating them?
The lead rescuer said unfavorable ocean and weather conditions are preventing the whales from being rescued and re-floated, as the whales keep getting stranded due to surging and thrashing water. In addition, the inaccessibility of the beach and difficulty getting specialized equipment to the area are complicating matters.
What will happen to the whales from here?
Marine biologist Kris Carlyon said the longer the animals are stranded, the longer they are suffering. All rescue options have been unsuccessful, and the workers will have to euthanize them.
The department says there were 136 survivors the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 19, but that assessment then dropped to 90 in just a few hours. The department has not given a reason why the whales initially became stranded. Possibilities include disorientation induced by loud noises, illness, injury fleeing predators and severe weather. Some have been on the beach for at least two days.
How big are they?
The young whales weigh just over 1,000 pounds, while the largest weigh more than 3 tons.
A helicopter surveillance of the area showed no additional whales that are part of this stranded pod within a several-mile radius.
