VIDEO: Over 157 dolphins beached on Australia’s coast

Australian authorities have reported a mass stranding of over 157 false killer whales, a species of oceanic dolphin, along the shores of Tasmania, in an incident that has raised concerns among marine life experts.

According to the island’s Marine Conservation Program (MCP), the dolphins became stranded near the town of Arthur River on Tasmania’s west coast, with initial observations indicating that at least 90 of them are still alive.

The program confirmed that it is working alongside Tasmania’s wildlife authority to understand the causes of this phenomenon and take necessary measures, stressing the importance of keeping the public away from stranded dolphins.

Officials stated that rescue efforts are complicated due to the remote location of the incident. They also emphasized that dolphins are a protected species even after death, and tampering with their remains is considered a criminal offense.

Animal behavior experts and marine scientists warn that stranded dolphins have low survival rates, as they cannot survive on land for more than six hours before they begin to perish, making rescue efforts a race against time.