A Pod of Over 90 Whales 'Stranded' and Dead on an Australian Beach... Suspected 'Stranding' Incident

Australian Environmental Authorities and Police Launch Rescue Operations
Suspected Mass Stranding of Marine Animals

On the 21st (local time), about 270 whales were stranded on a sandbar along the coast of Australia. Australian environmental authorities, police, and environmental protection groups launched a rescue operation. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Approximately 270 whales were stranded off the coast of Australia, with at least 90 of them dying in the mass stranding.

According to reports from Australian media such as ABC News on the 21st (local time), around 270 pilot whales were trapped on a sandbar off the coast of Tasmania, prompting rescue efforts by environmental authorities, animal protection groups, and police.

However, since the sandbar was located in the middle of the sea away from the shore, rescue operations were difficult, and ultimately 90 whales stranded on the sandbar could not return to the sea and died. The remaining 180 whales are still awaiting rescue.

Regarding this, Chris Carlin, a marine biologist with the Australian government, told ABC News, "I don't know how long the rescue will take, but it will take at least several days," adding, "Most individuals are difficult to access, and some are too large to rescue easily."

As for the cause of the mass whale deaths, he explained, "It is possible that the whales lost their way after hunting for food along the coast."

This group of whales is presumed to have experienced so-called "stranding." Stranding refers to the phenomenon where marine animals such as whales, seals, and sea lions come ashore and die. It has recently been reported frequently along the coasts of countries including New Zealand, Australia, and Spain.

The cause of stranding phenomena has not yet been determined. Marine experts speculate that global warming, marine pollution, sonar from warships, and food depletion are possible reasons for stranding. Sudden environmental changes may cause whales to experience collective stress or lose their sense of direction, leading them to come ashore.