157 dolphins stranded on a remote Australian beach

SYDNEY, Feb 19 — A pod of 157 dolphins has stranded on a remote Tasmanian beach, with at least 90 still alive as of this morning, Australian environment officials confirmed.

The stranded dolphins, believed to be false killer whales—a deep-sea species named for their orca-like skulls—were discovered near Arthur River on Tasmania’s west coast. Wildlife officer Brendon Clark said refloating the surviving dolphins, which can weigh over a tonne, would be challenging.

“As with any stranding, euthanasia is considered to minimize suffering, and vets are on-site to make informed decisions,” Clark stated.

Mass strandings of false killer whales are common in Australia, but this is the first in 50 years for this region of Tasmania. The cause remains unknown, though post-mortem examinations may provide answers.

False killer whales, which can grow up to six meters long, are highly social and travel in pods of 50 or more. They are often involved in mass strandings that can decimate entire groups. Their population size is uncertain, and Australia classifies them as “near threatened.”

Authorities are struggling with the remote location’s difficult conditions and limited access to rescue equipment. – AFP

‍