Tasmania faces mass whale strandings amid bushfires
Tasmania has seen a series of mass whale strandings in recent years, including the worst in Australian history, which involved almost 500 pilot whales in 2020.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the site, located approximately 300km from Launceston, due to ongoing bushfires in the area and limited road access.
A department spokesperson stated, "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. If it is determined there is a need for help from the general public, a request will be made."
Local resident Jocelyn Flint reported to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she visited the site on Wednesday morning after her son noticed the pod while out shark fishing overnight. She described the situation, saying, "There are babies... There's just families of them. Their eyes are open, they're looking at me, like 'help'. It's just absolutely horrific. They're all struggling."
Over 80% of Australian whale strandings occur in Tasmania, often along its west coast. In 2020, around 470 pilot whales were stranded further south at Macquarie Harbour, with about 350 dying despite rescue efforts. Another 200 stranded in the same harbour in 2022.
Whales are highly social mammals known for stranding in groups due to their large, close-knit communities that depend on constant communication. There are several theories regarding the causes of beachings. Some experts suggest that the animals may become disoriented after following fish to the shore, while others believe that one individual may mistakenly lead entire groups onto the beach.
