Mass Whale Stranding Occurs Again in Tasmania, Australia

On September 23, the most severe whale stranding incident in nearly two decades occurred near Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania, Australia: approximately 470 long-finned pilot whales stranded in batches, with 380 confirmed dead by the 24th. Rescue teams successfully freed over 80 whales using slings and barges. However, due to the whales’ massive size (7 meters long, weighing 3 tons), some stranded individuals succumbed to dehydration or organ failure. Experts speculate that navigational errors, changes in the marine environment, or abnormal group behavior may be the primary causes, though the exact reason remains under investigation.