Humpback whale was found dead near Thunder Point, United Kingdom

CLARE QUIRK

17 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM

A 12-METRE humpback whale was found dead near Thunder Point yesterday.

Department of Sustainability and Environment senior biodiversity officer Mandy Watson said the whale had been dead for a number of days and it was very difficult to tell the cause of death.

The male whale was found west of Thunder Point near the sewerage plant.

Ms Watson said given the location and the sea conditions it was difficult to retrieve the whale for a post mortem.

She said the whale had died on the northern migration to Queensland.

“We will continue to monitor it and gain as much scientific information as we can,” she said.

“It is a rare opportunity.

“Once they have been dead for a long time it can be difficult to gain a lot of information from the pathology.

“This has been eaten at while it was at sea.”

Ms Watson warned people to be aware that whales attract very big sharks and it was a serious offence to interfere with a carcass.

She said the sight of the dead animal may be distressing for some but it was a natural process.

Ms Watson said there had been a number of humpback whale sightings with one seen offshore from the Blowholes at Cape Bridgewater on Saturday morning and two more sighted 300 metres offshore from the water tower at Portland on Sunday.

Two whales were also sighted 150 metres off the whale platform at Logans Beach on Sunday.

standard.net.au

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