Australia: Scores of whales to be euthanised after 157 found stranded on Tasmanian beach

False killer whales—one of the world’s largest dolphin species—can grow up to six meters (19 feet) and weigh up to 1.5 tonnes. They are known for their strong social bonds, which often lead to entire pods stranding together.

Local resident Jocelyn Flint described the heartbreaking scene after traveling to the beach on Wednesday.

“There are babies… There’s just families of them. Their eyes are open, they’re looking at me, like ‘help’,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “It’s just absolutely horrific,” BBC reported.

In this photo provided by Jocelyn Flint, false killer whales are stranded, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on a remote beach on near Arthur River inAustralia’s island state of Tasmania. (Jocelyn Flint via AP)

Experts said the stranded whales had already been exposed to extreme stress for 24 to 48 hours. The site’s remote location—about 300 km (186 miles) from Launceston—further complicated any potential rescue.

“This is possibly the trickiest location I’ve seen in 16 years of doing this role in Tasmania,” marine biologist Kris Carlyon was quoted as saying by BBC.

Can the whales be saved?

Rescuers attempted to relocate and refloat two of the whales, but rough conditions made it impossible.

“The animals just can’t get past the break to get out. They just keep turning around and coming back towards the beach,” said Shelley Graham from Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service.

With no viable options left and conditions expected to remain the same for days, expert wildlife veterinarians made the “tough” decision to euthanise the remaining whales.

“The longer these animals are stranded, the longer they are suffering. Euthanasia is always a last resort,” Dr. Carlyon said, BBC reported.

In this photo provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, a woman inspects a whale after more than 150 false killer whales have become stranded, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on a remote beach on near Arthur River in Australia’s island state of Tasmania. (NRE via AP)

The process, which involves shooting the whales, began Wednesday and is expected to continue into Thursday. Authorities are also considering how to handle the carcasses, with one option being to allow nature to take its course, given the site’s cultural significance to Aboriginal communities.

Tasmania has a long history of mass whale strandings, with over 80% of Australia’s recorded events occurring on the island. The region saw its worst-ever stranding in 2020, when 470 pilot whales became stranded in Macquarie Harbour—about 350 of them died despite rescue efforts.

Scientists are still uncertain about why mass strandings occur. Some theories suggest whales follow prey too close to shore, while others believe a single disoriented leader can cause an entire pod to strand.

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