More Than 150 False Killer Whales Stranded on Tasmania Beach, Dozens to Be Euthanized

Mar. 15, 2025

A huge group of false killer whales are expected to be euthanized after being stranded on a beach on Tasmania’s coast.

False killer whales stranded on a Tasmanian beach.Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AFP via Getty

A handout photo taken and released on February 19, 2025 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania shows dolphins stranded on a beach near Arthur River on the west coast of Tasmania. A pod of 157 dolphins was found stranded on a remote beach in Australia’s southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said as veterinarians raced to the scene. They appeared to be members of a large dolphin species known as false killer whales, Tasmania’s environment department said, named for the orca-like shape of their skull.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AFP via Getty

“We have been out in the water this morning and have relocated and attempted to refloat two whales, but didn’t have success, as the ocean conditions weren’t allowing the animals to get past the break,” Graham said. “The animals are continuously restranding.”

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Rescue efforts for the stranded false killer whales.Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AFP via Getty

A handout photo taken and released on February 19, 2025 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania shows officials working on dolphins stranded on a beach near Arthur River on the west coast of Tasmania. A pod of 157 dolphins was found stranded on a remote beach in Australia’s southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said as veterinarians raced to the scene. They appeared to be members of a large dolphin species known as false killer whales, Tasmania’s environment department said, named for the orca-like shape of their skull.

Though euthanasia is considered a last resort, every other attempt to help the false killer whales has been unsuccessful, said marine biologist and deputy incident controller Kris Carlyon in the same statement. Thus, euthanasia has become the most humane option.

Tasmanian shore where the false killer whales were stranded.TED ALJIBE/Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AFP via Getty

A handout photo taken on February 18, 2025 and released on February 19 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania shows an aerial view of dolphins stranded on a beach near Arthur River on the west coast of Tasmania. A pod of 157 dolphins was found stranded on a remote beach in Australia’s southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said as veterinarians raced to the scene. They appeared to be members of a large dolphin species known as false killer whales, Tasmania’s environment department said, named for the orca-like shape of their skull.

TED ALJIBE/Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AFP via Getty

“The longer these animals are out stranded, the longer they are suffering,” Carlyon said.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, false killer whales bear a similar appearance to orcas — often called killer whales — but are actually part of the dolphin family. The whales can weigh up to one and a half tons and tend to live offshore in tropical waters.

source: people.com

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