Arthur River, Australia - February 19, 2025 A mass stranding of 157 false killer whales near Arthur River has ended in tragedy, with euthanasia operations now completed after extreme conditions made rescue efforts impossible. Marine conservation experts and wildlife veterinarians arrived at the remote site to assess the situation, initially finding 136 whales still alive. However, the inaccessible terrain, rough ocean conditions, and lack of specialist equipment led authorities to determine euthanasia was the only humane option. Incident Controller Shelley Graham acknowledged the toll on response teams. “I’m really proud of the exceptional effort all members have put in to get the best animal welfare outcome possible,” she said. Wildlife veterinarian Sarah Michael, who oversaw the euthanasia, confirmed it was carried out humanely. “I’m also confident that euthanasia was the right decision for this complex situation,” she said. Post-mortem investigations have begun, with experts from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania conducting necropsies to study the whales’ health. The carcasses will be left to decompose naturally due to the rugged terrain. Authorities have closed roads and beaches in the area and are urging the public to stay away. Tasmania’s West Coast is also facing an active bushfire response, further restricting access. The cause of the mass stranding remains unknown.