14 dead sperm whales found beached on Australian island

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)

Australian wildlife authorities are investigating the deaths of 14 young sperm whales that were found beached on an island off of the south-eastern coast.

The whales were discovered on Monday afternoon on King Island, part of the state of Tasmania in the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania’s northern coast, the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment said.