Stranded false killer whales in Tasmania likely unable to be rescued
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.
Video: Humpback whale swallows kayaker, spits him out
A humpback whale in Chile’s Strait of Magellan briefly swallowed a kayaker before spitting the man back up. The incident took place on Sunday, Feb. 9, while 24-year-old Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father near Bahía El Águila.
Marine experts believe the whale was feeding on krill or small fish and accidentally scooped up Simancas. Whales do not actively prey on humans.
Simancas and his father returned to shore safely, despite the cold waters and their initial fears of hypothermia.
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A kayaker in Chile’s Strait of Magellan experienced a close encounter with a humpback whale when the massive marine mammal briefly swallowed him before quickly releasing him unharmed. The dramatic moment, captured on video, has since gone viral.
“I thought I was dead. I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me,” he said.
His father, just meters away, remained calm and encouraged his son to “stay calm” after he reappeared.
Despite feeling initially relieved, Simancas worried for his father’s safety and fretted about making it to shore in time to avoid hypothermia.
What caused the incident?
Marine experts believe the whale was likely feeding on krill or small fish and accidentally scooped up Simancas in the process. Whales do not actively prey on humans; incidents like this are extremely rare.
The Strait of Magellan, located 1,600 miles south of Santiago, Chile, is a well-known tourist destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
While whale attacks on humans are uncommon, collisions between whales and cargo ships have increased recently.
How dangerous are the waters?
Even during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, the waters in the region remain cold, with temperatures ranging from 39°F to 68°F. These conditions pose a significant challenge for sailors, swimmers and kayakers.
What happened after the incident?
After a few moments in the water, Simancas managed to reach his father’s kayak and received assistance. Both he and his father made it back to shore unharmed.
The incident highlighted both nature’s unpredictability and the resilience of those who venture into the wild waters of Chilean Patagonia.
Ukraine says Russian drone hit Chernobyl amid talks of ending war
All eyes are on Munich as an American delegation attempts to make progress in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. And after infernos devastated homes and businesses in Southern California, heavy rain could cause another potential disaster in the region. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Feb. 14, 2024.
Russian drone hit Chernobyl amid talks of ending war: Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective confinement shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region Friday, Feb. 14. It comes as Russian and U.S. leaders are set to meet in Munich, Germany, to begin talks of ending the war in Ukraine.
Radiation levels at Chernobyl have not increased, according to Zelenskyy and the U.N. Atomic Agency.
Last night, a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world,… pic.twitter.com/mLTGeDYgPT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 14, 2025
Meanwhile, at least one Ukrainian official has denied President Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine will participate in a joint meeting between U.S. and Russian representatives.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Trump told reporters U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials will have a sideline meeting at the annual Munich Security Conference to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
However, the Kyiv Post reported that one of Zelenskyy’s top advisors, Dmytro Lytvyn, released a statement indicating that this is not being considered.
“Ukraine’s position remains unchanged,” Lytvyn said. “Ukraine must first speak with America. Europe must be part of any serious conversation for a genuine and lasting peace. Only a coordinated, unified position should be on the table for talks with the Russians. We don’t meet with Russians at an empty table.”
Russia, which is not officially attending the annual forum in Germany, has not commented on the apparent meeting either.
Rubio’s arrival was delayed Thursday night when his plane had to turn back to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland due to a mechanical issue. While he was able to get on a different plane, it’s unclear if the delay will impact his ability to attend the meeting with the Ukrainian leader.
Earlier this week, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, stating that he spoke by phone with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy. He mentioned that both leaders wanted peace and an end to the war and killing.
Multiple federal prosecutors resign after NY mayor corruption case dropped
Danielle Sassoon stepped down as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York on Thursday. Her resignation followed a memo sent on Monday, Feb. 10, by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, instructing prosecutors in Manhattan to abandon the five-count indictment
Bove previously stated that the Biden administration rushed through Adams’ indictment in September 2024 after Adams criticized Biden’s “failed immigration policies.”
NBC News reported that on Thursday, multiple sources said that Justice Department officials tried to move Adams’ case to the agency’s Public Integrity Section in Washington, which oversees all federal public corruption cases. John Keller, the acting head of the Public Integrity Section, refused to drop the case and resigned, along with three other section members.
Kevin Driscoll, the acting head of the department’s criminal division, which oversees federal criminal cases nationwide, also refused to drop the charges and resigned.
Trump denied instructing the Department of Justice to order the dismissal of the criminal prosecution of Adams. In December 2024, after getting elected, Trump said he believed Adams had been treated “very unfairly.”
14 states file lawsuit challenging DOGE’s constitutionality
Attorneys general from 14 states have filed a lawsuit challenging the authority of Elon Musk and the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The suit claims that the organization possesses virtually unchecked power regarding access to sensitive government data.
DOGE is responsible for eliminating billions of dollars in what Trump considers excessive government spending.
The lawsuit, led by the state of New Mexico, asserts that DOGE has “undermined federal agencies, accessed sensitive data and caused significant harm to state and local governments, federal employees and the American public.”
The AGs are seeking a court order to prevent Musk and DOGE from mandating changes in the disbursement of public funds, canceling government contracts and taking actions to dismantle agencies
In a video call to the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Thursday, Feb. 13, Musk called on the U.S. to “delete” entire agencies to cut spending and restructure priorities.
Winter storm brings new dangers to fire-ravaged Southern California
The strongest storm of the winter continues to pound Southern California on Friday. While experts indicated that the worst of the rain has passed and the flooding is beginning to recede, the area remains unsafe.
Current concerns include the potential for dangerous mud, rockslides and debris flows, especially in the Los Angeles area, where massive wildfires last month charred homes and buildings.
By the time the storm fully exits the area Friday, up to three inches of rain is expected to have fallen in most coastal and valley areas, with up to six inches anticipated in the foothills and mountains.
Forecasters said while scattered showers are still expected throughout Friday, the area will start to dry out over the weekend.
TikTok returns to Google Play, Apple app stores
After nearly a month, TikTok has returned to the Apple and Google Play app stores. The popular social media app was removed from stores last month when a law banning the app in the U.S. took effect.
Under the law, Apple and Google cannot host TikTok as long as ByteDance, a China-based tech company, controls it. However, sources told media outlets Attorney General Pam Bondi sent the tech giants letters Thursday saying the Trump administration will not prosecute them for hosting the app.
The Biden administration passed a law banning the app on Jan. 19, citing national security concerns that the Chinese government could have access to Americans’ sensitive information.
When Trump took office, he promptly signed an executive order postponing the ban’s enforcement until April 5. This gave his administration time to find an American buyer for the app.
Trump has also said he would “like the United States to have a 50% ownership” of TikTok in a “joint venture.”
Experts said about 52% of TikTok downloads are from the Apple App Store and 48% from Google Play.
Caught on camera: Humpback whale swallows kayaker, spits him out
Here’s a whale of a tale that would be pretty unbelievable if it weren’t caught on camera.
A kayaker got a brief glimpse of what Jonah must have experienced when he was briefly gobbled up by a humpback whale while on the water around Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region.
Adrian Simancas, 24, was paddling through the icy waters of the Strait of Magellan with his dad last Saturday, Feb. 9, when the whale suddenly surfaced, snatched him up and quickly spat him back out.
Wildlife experts said the whale was not trying to eat Simancas. They said it was likely looking to snack on krill or fish and Simancas was just in the way.
A Massachusetts non-profit is standing up against a project bringing wind turbines to the Nantucket coast. ACK For Whales is challenging the federal approval granting the Vineyard Wind project, turning to the U.S. Supreme Court for help.
The federal government gave the green light in 2021 to develop wind energy 15 miles from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Sixty-two wind turbines will fill the ocean, generating enough electricity to power 400,000 homes.
ACK For Whales sued National Marine Fisheries Service and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for ignoring the Endangered Species Act. The group said there were flaws in permitting the project and the federal agencies didn’t consider the impact the project would have on whale species.
A district court dismissed their lawsuit and in April 2023, an appeals court sided with the lower court’s decision. The appeals panel said the project does not jeopardize North Atlantic whales and research was performed to reduce risk and exposure to marine life.
The group pointed to Summer 2024, when blade debris washed up on a Nantucket beach, through the same waters whales use for migration. The petition to the Supreme Court said the government isn’t using the “best available scientific and commercial data available.” ACK For Whales said it has led to at least a dozen species becoming extinct and overall shrinking the population of whales.
However, during the summer of 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the ‘Chevron Doctrine,’ which allowed for a broad interpretation of laws directly at play in the Vineyard Wind case. ACK For Whales is hoping the Supreme Court will review the initial ruling.
The Department of Justice said it believes the current rulings are correct and the Vineyard Wind project already considered environmental impacts during the approval phase.
The Supreme Court will review the petition in early 2025.
More than 30 stranded pilot whales rescued in New Zealand
An effort to save dozens of whales from certain death is being hailed as “incredible” by New Zealand conservationists. More than 30 stranded pilot whales were reportedly rescued on Sunday, Nov. 24, by residents and conservation workers in New Zealand.
“We’ve had, you know, a really awesome response from the community,” Dave Milner, who works with the resource management unit, which helped with the rescue, said. “Thousands of people have come down to help, and you know, it was great to see their unity, you know, for the same purpose.”
“So, there were a lot of people in the water, obviously, you know, safety is a real priority here and so Project Jonah has got a whole team of trained, you know, volunteers who support events like these,” Joel Lauterbach, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Department of Conservation, said. “And they’re trained to be in the water, they’re trained to be around these amazing animals and basically making a lot of noise and really encouraging them back out by splashing, and yeah, and refloating as well.”
Despite the mass effort, four whales died, including three adults and one calf.
Conservationists watched on Monday, Nov. 25, to make sure there were no cases of restranding.
New Zealand is a hotspot for whales swimming ashore. The country recorded more than 5,000 whale strandings since 1840, according to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.
The largest whale stranding occurred in 1918 when around 1,000 whales became beached.
It’s unclear how or why the strandings happen so often, but biologists believe the island nation’s geography plays a role.
New Zealand’s north and south islands are home to extended coastlines with sloped beaches and can sometimes confuse whales, which rely on echolocation to navigate.
US funds projects to protect marine life during offshore wind farm construction
The Departments of Energy and the Interior announced nearly $17 million in funding to support the offshore wind industry, including efforts to protect marine life. Despite the U.S. government having said there are “no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities,” federal officials are investing in additional measures to enhance protections for marine animals during the construction of wind turbines.
A portion of the new funding will be used to develop technologies and strategies aimed at reducing underwater noise during the installation of offshore wind farms. Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said these efforts will help ensure “environmentally responsible development” of this infrastructure.
Marine experts highlighted the potential impacts of noise from wind farm construction. Pile driving, the process of hammering turbines into the seafloor, can produce sound levels exceeding 225 decibels underwater, which is comparable to the volume of noise that a person would hear from putting their head near a Boeing 747 engine at full power.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently acknowledged that the sounds from these activities could “adversely affect” nearby whale populations and marine life. However, NOAA officials have stated they do not anticipate that the construction will result in any whale fatalities or serious injuries. They assert that these activities will not jeopardize the continued existence of any whale species, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
In total, seven projects have been selected to receive federal funding to address the noise issue. The largest grant, nearly $4 million, will go to Purdue University for its efforts to mitigate the underwater sound generated during turbine installation.
Chinese aquarium accused of misleading visitors with robotic whale shark display
Xiaomeisha Ocean World in China is under scrutiny after it was revealed that the whale shark featured in its exhibits is actually a robotic model, not a live animal. The revelation has sparked a wave of negative reviews from visitors who felt deceived by the aquarium’s advertising, with some demanding refunds after learning that the whale shark was not real.
The aquarium defended its choice, explaining that it invested millions of yuan in the development of the robotic whale shark to comply with wildlife protection laws that restrict the trade and capture of real whale sharks, the world’s largest fish species. Only around 20 whale sharks are kept in captivity worldwide, making them a rare sight in aquariums.
Xiaomeisha Ocean World said in a statement that its robotic whale shark exhibit aimed to “inspire everyone to understand the animals and their environment” and “with the aim of protecting the ecological environment.”
This incident follows another Chinese wildlife display accused of misleading tourists. Earlier this year, the Taizhou Zoo sparked a viral controversy when it was revealed staff had dyed a pair of chow chow dogs black and white to look like pandas.
Bacterial infection, not foul play, likely killed Russian ‘spy whale’
A mystery surrounding the beluga whale that captured global attention with rumors of espionage has finally been resolved. Known as “Hvaldimir,” the 14-foot-long 2,000 pound whale was found dead in August in a southern Norwegian bay.
Animal rights groups quickly claimed that the beluga had been shot. But now, Norwegian police are releasing new information, seeking to tell what really happened.
According to authorities, a final autopsy by Norway’s Veterinary Institute has concluded that the probable cause of death for the whale was actually a bacterial infection. They go on to say that it was likely caused by a wound in the whale’s mouth from a stick that was lodged there.
Officials emphasized there was no evidence to suggest that the whale had been shot. The autopsy was complicated by the fact that many of its organs were heavily decomposed, but both forensic technicians and the institute ruled out gunshot wounds.
Gaining international attention after it was first spotted off Norway’s coast in 2019, the whale was spotted wearing a harness believed to be of Russian origin. This led to speculation that it might have been part of a Russian spy program.
His tame nature and the harness labeled “equipment St. Petersburg,” sparked intrigue, but experts believe his death was purely accidental.
Embattled Vineyard Wind project may face SCOTUS scrutiny over whale impact
An offshore wind farm that scattered debris into the Atlantic Ocean this summer is now at the center of a high-stakes legal battle that could be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. A group of Nantucket residents with the organization ACK for Whales is challenging the federal government’s approval of the Vineyard Wind project, arguing it threatens the survival of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
“We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will grant review of the important issue in this petition regarding an agency’s abrogating its obligations to the right whale under the Endangered Species Act,” Nancie Marzulla, ACK For Whales’ counsel, said.
The dispute dates back three years, with ACK for Whales asserting that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ignored aspects of the Endangered Species Act. Specifically, the group claims the agency did not properly assess the potential impact of the wind farm on the endangered North Atlantic right whale population.
Vineyard Wind, the project developer, has countered that the project underwent a “rigorous and thorough” review process to ensure environmental compliance.
Under the Endangered Species Act, the NMFS is required to issue a biological opinion on how projects, such as offshore wind farms, might affect endangered species.
According to ACK for Whales, the agency’s analysis only considered the impact of a small number of turbines, despite plans for the agency to approve the installation of over 300 additional turbines in the future.
The NMFS itself has acknowledged that right whales face “a high risk of extinction” and “the loss of even one individual a year” could “reduce the likelihood of species recovery.”
ACK for Whales argues that this analysis was ignored when the federal government approved the Vineyard Wind project, leaving the species vulnerable to harm from the expanding turbine installations.
In addition to the environmental concerns, the group points to a blade failure at the wind farm this past summer, which caused fiberglass debris to spill into the Atlantic Ocean and wash up on surrounding beaches.
Val Oliver, the founding director of ACK For Whales, said “the disastrous blade catastrophe in July — not to mention the evidence of grave harm to an endangered species — makes clear the cost of the government’s decision to ignore its own laws.”
“The government tried to speed its pet political projects forward and gamed its ‘analysis’ so it could ignore the lethal threats to right whales,” Oliver added.
After a U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in April dismissed the group’s legal challenge, ACK for Whales is now petitioning the Supreme Court to hear the case. It remains uncertain whether the nation’s highest court will agree to take it up.
RFK Jr. faces federal probe over whale beheading, calls it politically motivated
Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he is under federal investigation for allegedly removing a whale’s head with a chainsaw and transporting it across state lines in the 1990s. Speaking during a recent Trump campaign event in Glendale, Arizona over the weekend, Kennedy said he believes the probe is politically motivated.
“Right after I endorsed President Trump, I received a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Institute saying they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago,” Kennedy told a crowd at Arizona Christian University.
The origins of the allegation trace back to a story shared by his daughter, Kick Kennedy, in a 2012 magazine interview. When the whale beheading claims resurfaced in the media last month, it prompted the Center for Biological Diversity to call on federal authorities to look into the incident. The organization raised concerns that Kennedy may have violated several environmental laws in handling and transporting the whale remains.
“It’s 15 years past the statute of limitations but they’re opening an investigation, and this is all about the weaponization of our government against political opponents of the party in power, and it’s dangerous for our democracy,” Kennedy said. “Every American, whether you’re Democrat or Republican, should be offended by it.”
Kennedy has not explicitly denied the allegations, but he did downplay the probe, dismissing it as “gossipy nonsense.” He further claimed the Biden administration’s policies pose a greater threat to whales than his actions ever could, pointing to the potential harm caused by offshore wind farms.
In a letter responding to the news he was being investigated, Kennedy said he told the National Marine Fisheries Institute that offshore wind threatens marine life, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. He accused the agency of being complicit in the deaths of those species by allowing these projects to proceed.