'Mystery' as fourteen sperm whales wash ashore Australian island

WARNING: Images below may disturb some readers

Mystery surrounds the deaths of fourteen young male sperm whales that washed ashore King Island, off Tasmania's north coast earlier this week.

The mammals were first reported to authorities on Monday, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) said.

An aerial survey was conducted yesterday and no other animals were found in the area, a NRE spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

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One of 14 dead sperm whales lies washed up on a beach at King Island, north of Tasmania, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. The whales were discovered Monday afternoon on King Island, part of the state of Tasmania in the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania's northern coast, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment said in a statement. (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania via AP)

Wildlife biologists and a vet are travelling to the island to investigate what lead to the animals' deaths.

"It is not unusual for sperm whales to be sighted in Tasmania and the area the whales have stranded is within the normal range and habitat for sperm whales," the department said in a statement.

Photos shared by the department show the large whales lying on their side, some with their mouths agape.

Wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta said it's not certain what lead to the stranding.

"Every stranding remains a mystery and an opportunity to learn more," Pirotta said.

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One of 14 dead sperm whales lies washed up on a beach at King Island, north of Tasmania, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. The whales were discovered Monday afternoon on King Island, part of the state of Tasmania in the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania's northern coast, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment said in a statement. (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania via AP)

It's possible the whales were part of a "bachelor pod", Pirotta added.

"Teenager-like male sperm whales may hang out together before reaching maturity.

"Mature males may choose to remain swimming independently and seek out females to mate with."

Pirotta said swimmers should avoid the water as the animals will be left to break down.

"These whales will be left on the beach to naturally breakdown," she said.

"I strongly advise no swimming in nearby waters".

The NRE said the carcasses "may attract sharks".

"Members of the public are reminded it is an offence to interfere with protected wildlife, including being in possession of parts of a dead whale, and are asked to keep their distance," it said.

Parks and Wildlife Services are monitoring the situation on site.

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This is not the first mass stranding to have taken place in Tasmania.

Almost two years ago exactly, hundreds of pilot whales stranded themselves along sandbars on Macquarie Harbour, about 190 kilometres from Hobart.



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