More than 150 false killer whales stranded on beach in Australia’s Tasmania
Al JazeeraFEB 20
Australia: 90 Stranded Whales at Arthur River Face Euthanasia
Above: Tasmania State Wildlife Services personnel check pilot whale carcasses on the state's west coast on Sept. 23, 2022. Image copyright: Glenn Nicholls/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Australian authorities are set to euthanize about 90 false killer whales of a pod of 157 that became stranded on a remote beach near Arthur River in Tasmania's northwest — the first major stranding of the animal in Tasmania since 1974.
Wildlife officials attempted to refloat two of the whales but were unsuccessful due to rough ocean conditions and the remote location's inaccessibility, making it impossible to deploy specialized rescue equipment.
False killer whales are technically one of the world's largest dolphin species, and can grow up to 6 meters and weigh between 500 kilograms and three tons.
The Spin
Narrative A
Deciding on euthanasia is tough but necessary, as these whales have already endured significant stress, and the longer they are out stranded, the longer they are suffering. The location's inaccessibility and dangerous ocean conditions have made rescue attempts futile — prolonging their distress would be cruel.
Narrative B
The increasing frequency of mass strandings in Tasmania raises serious concerns about marine ecosystem health and human impacts. More research and resources are needed to understand why whales strand themselves, which could be linked to factors such as noise pollution, climate change, or habitat disruption. It is not just enough to respond, human society needs to prevent these tragic events from happening in the first place.