• Environment

Bangkok, Feb 19 (EFE).-

A total of 157 whales have died or will be euthanized after being stranded on a remote beach in the northwest of Tasmania, an island south of Australia, local authorities reported on Wednesday.

Teams made up of veterinarians who are experts in wild animals and marine conservationists made several attempts to save some 90 whales that had survived the initial stranding near the Arthur River township, northwest of Tasmania.

But unfavorable weather conditions prevented the efforts from being successful, said the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, which expects similar weather during the next two days.

“It is currently expected all remaining alive whales will be euthanized. The longer these animals are out stranded, the longer they are suffering. All alternative options have been unsuccessful, euthanizer is always a last resort,” biologist Kris Carlyon said.

The mammals appear to be false killer whales or black killer whales, according to the statement.

The agency added that, as in previous similar cases, the reason for this stranding was unknown.

In 2020, 470 pilot whales were stranded in western Tasmania, of which only 100 could be saved and taken to sea, while in 2022, some 230 whales were stranded on another remote beach in Macquaire Bay, in western Tasmania, half of whom died.

Scientists are often not been able to determine the reasons why pods of whales become stranded in shallow waters en masse. Some possibilities include military use of ultra low-frequency sonar damaging inner ears and internal organs, echo location not accurate near a gently-sloping beach, navigational mistakes, chasing food, adverse weather and tidal conditions, as well as illness. Being social creatures, if one signals they are in trouble, many can come to help and also strand.

Tasmania is an island state of Australia, remote and wild, sparsely populated and to some extent forgotten because it is separated from the mainland.

Approximately 20 percent of its territory has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering a network of 10 natural parks that encompass dramatic gorges subjected to various glaciations, crystal-clear lakes in ancient craters and inaccessible snow-capped peaks. EFE

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