What significant mass stranding events of marine mammals have occurred in Australia in recent years?

Australia has experienced several major marine mammal mass strandings in recent years. For the first time in 50 years, Australia's largest mass stranding incident occurred in 2020 when 470 long-finned pilot whales were found at Macquarie Harbour, with most dying. In 2022, approximately 230 pilot whales stranded at the same location with similar fatal outcomes. Additional incidents include about 160 pilot whales found stranded on a Western Australia beach in 2023, where many had to be euthanized. These recurring events highlight a concerning pattern of marine mammal strandings along Australian coastlines, with most resulting in significant casualties despite rescue efforts.