Why can't we just tow stranded whales and dolphins back out to sea? Share this with family and friends. Stranded false killer whales on Tasmanian beach to be euthanised after rescue efforts fail Rescue efforts have failed for a pod of false killer whales beached on a remote coastline, with authorities forced to begin euthanasia.
Key Points Over whales were beached on Tasmania's remote west coast. More than 60 of the false killer whales had died by Wednesday morning. The remaning whales will be euthanised by firearm and in accordance with world-best practice, authorities say. Authorities will begin the bleak task of euthanising dozens of false killer whales after beached on Tasmania's remote west coast β a hotspot for strandings.
Crews tried unsuccessfully to re-float two of the mammals on Wednesday after members of the public reported the group had become stuck near Arthur River the previous night. About 90 of the whales still alive on the beach will be euthanised over coming days.
Rough seas, windy conditions and rugged terrain have complicated the rescue and hampered efforts to get equipment to the site. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service incident controller Shelley Graham said the whales they tried to re-float continually re-stranded. It is quite windy and rough and the animals can't get past the surf break to get out," she told reporters. Local resident Steve Flint contacted authorities after he and his wife saw the whales on Tuesday night, following a call from his son who was there fishing.
At one stage I had to turn my back on it," he said. It's a terrible thing to witness. I thought there was no way we'd be able to turn them around. Flint said it was only the second time he had seen whales near the mouth of the Arthur River in his 40 years visiting the spot.
