More than 150 whales have stranded on a remote beach on Tasmania’s west coast.
The group of 157 whales were first spotted by locals near Arthur River, south of Marrawah, on the state’s west coast on Tuesday night.
The pod are believed to be false killer whales, part of the dolphin family, with initial observations revealing about 136 are still alive.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) have confirmed marine conservations have arrived at the scene of the mass stranding.
Wildlife veterinarians will ‘plan an appropriate response’ with government agencies and Environment Tasmania’s Marine Conservation Program.
‘A 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,’ an NRE spokesperson said.
‘If it is determined there is a need for help from the general public, a request will be made through various avenues.”
No call for help from the general public has been made yet.
More than 150 whales have stranded on a remote beach on Tasmania’s west coast (pictured)
The group of 157 whales were first spotted by locals near Arthur River, south of Marrawah
The beached marine animals are believed to be false killer whales with initial observations revealing roughly 136 are still alive (the mass stranding is pictured)
Arthur River resident Jocelyn Flint said she alerted authorities to the mass stranding after her son spotted the pod while fishing on Tuesday night.
‘I’m the only person here. Most of them are all still alive,’ she told ABC Northern Tasmania Breakfast on Wednesday.
‘There are babies, there’s all sorts. It’s just absolutely horrific. They’re all struggling.
‘They’re looking at me and I just can’t help them.’
It comes after 470 pilot whales were stranded at Macquarie Harbour near Strahan in 2020 with another 200 beaches in the same area in 2022.
All whales are protected species and can’t be interfered with, even once deceased.
