By Manika Champ
Dozens of whales are stranded on the beach at Arthur River, in Tasmania's far north-west. Photo: NRE Tas
More than 150 suspected false killer whales have become stranded on a beach in Tasmania's far north-west.
Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed the whale stranding, saying 157 of what appeared to be false killer whales were stranded on a beach near Arthur River.
Initial observations show 136 animals are still alive and the Parks and Wildlife Service says it is planning a response in the remote location.
An aerial view shows the extent of the stranding. Photo: NRE Tas
Local resident Jocelyn Flint told ABC Northern Tasmania Breakfast she was with the whales this morning.
"I'm the only person here. Most of them are all still alive," Flint said.
"There are babies, there's all sorts. It's just absolutely horrific. They're all struggling."
Flint said her son saw the whales late last night while shark fishing.
She said the whales were on the "edge of the water".
"We've had a few big surges come in and they're all fighting.
"There's just families of them. Their eyes are open, they're looking at me, like 'help'. They need putting out of their misery."
She said her son found them while out shark fishing last night and rang her shortly after midnight with the news.
"They were everywhere but there was pink tape on some of them so we knew Parks [and Wildlife Service] must have known about it. Then we got up real early this morning and came back down just on daylight."
Flint said it would be good if the whales could be rescued and released back to sea.
"But gee, from what I've seen before, they usually end up coming back in," Flint said.
"I just wish we knew why they've done it, it's such a waste."
Local resident Jocelyn Flint says most of the whales were still alive this morning. Photo: NRE Tas
'Complex' stranding response
The department said Environment Tasmania's Marine Conservation Program was working alongside staff from the Parks and Wildlife Service to conduct initial assessments and "plan an appropriate response".
"Stranding response in this area is complex due to the inaccessibility of the site, ocean conditions and the challenges of getting specialist equipment to the remote area," the department said.
"If it is determined there is a need for help from the general public, a request will be made through various avenues."
Mass strandings are not uncommon on Tasmania's west coast.
Around 470 pilot whales stranded further south at Macquarie Harbour near Strahan in 2020 and another 200 become stranded in the same harbour in 2022.
"All whales are protected species, even once deceased, and it is an offence to interfere with a carcass," the department said.
- ABC
