After a large-scale trapping on an isolated shore in Australia, where more than 60 people have now passed away, hundreds of fake killer whales are fighting for survival.
Although hard due to the extreme hardships of the situation and the place, volunteers are racing against time to save those still intact.
Between Monday and Tuesday, 157 misleading killer whales stranded near Arthur River on Tasmania’s west coast. By the time government arrived, around 90 of the species were still alive, but as the time passed, more succumbed to stress and exposure. In the end, officials decided to put the 90 surviving whales to sleep.
Hard rescue mission
Researchers and firefighters are present to evaluate the safety of any still-existence dolphins. But the distant shore, hard waters, and the whales ‘ large size—some weighing up to three tonnes—make the recovery extremely difficult.
Brendon Clark, a liaison officer for Tasmania’s division of natural solutions and setting, explained the risks involved.
It would be difficult to try to refloat the animals immediately into that search, and it would also pose a significant safety risk, he said.
Officials have warned that volunteers may be put in danger by soaring tides, solid ripples, and the movements of the struggling whales. The bones also raise questions about whether or not predators are drawn there by them.
Rare stranding
This is the first false killer whale large stranding in Tasmania since 1974, when more than 160 were stranded near Stanley, which is also on the west coast. Tasmania often sees dolphin strandings, especially involving pilot whales, but false criminal whales—a types of big oceanic dolphins—rarely seaside in such numbers.
More than 80 % of Australia’s shark strandings occur in Tasmania, with the western coast being a particular hotspot. In 2020, Australia’s worst-ever trapping saw 470 captain whales shore themselves at Macquarie Harbour, with most dying despite considerable recovery efforts. A similar incident occurred in 2022, with 230 captain sharks stranded in the same place.
Mystery behind large strandings
The precise causes of shark strandings are still undetermined. Some experts think that when they pursue prey very close to shore, the animals can be disoriented, while others think that one bewildered person could accidentally lead an entire pod to deep waters. Other possible components include disease, injury, or problems caused by loud noises or economic circumstances.
Officials plan to study the bones for facts, but for now, the target remains on saving the victims.
After her boy, who had been shark-fishing immediately, discovered the stranded pod, Jocelyn Flint, a local resident, described the terrible view.
” There are babies … There’s just families of them. Their eyes are open, they’re looking at me, like’ assist,'” she told the American Broadcasting Corporation.
” It’s just completely brutal. They’re all struggling”.
