Experts are bracing for a grim outcome as a stranded 10-metre humpback whale in shallow water off Port Kennedy beach is unlikely to survive.
The animal became stuck on a sandbank just metres from the shore in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park on Wednesday, prompting authorities to close the beach, dispatch expert veterinarians and issue urgent warnings to the public over potential shark activity.
Emergency crews were alerted around 11.15am after a member of the public spotted the struggling whale.
Parks and Wildlife officers and Perth Zoo veterinarians spent Wednesday afternoon assessing the whale’s condition, with authorities warning a rescue attempt was unlikely to be considered.
“We were notified just before 11 this morning about the whale, so we’ve been down here since that time making sure the whale’s not under any extra stress, and making sure people are safe as well,” Parks and Wildlife regional manager Benson Todd said.
“The vets from Perth Zoo arrived an hour or so ago, so they’re currently undertaking some assessments, and that’ll help devise the next steps.”
Camera IconScenes from Long Point in Port Kennedy. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
Mr Todd said the whale’s condition and the circumstances surrounding its stranding remained unclear.
“We’re not sure why it has beached, why it is here today,” he said.
“Humpback whales migrate up and down the West Australian coast. There has been a couple of humpback whales in this area over the last couple of weeks. I’m not sure if it’s the same animal, but I guess long story short, we’re not sure why the whale is here today.”
The whale had visible growth on its body, which Mr Todd said suggested it may not have been in a healthy condition before becoming stranded.
“Our focus now really is on the welfare of the whale and the safety of the people.”
Mr Todd said the whale’s chances of survival were poor, with its weight placing enormous pressure on its internal organs while out of the water.
“It’s likely not to be a great outcome, as sad as that is,” Mr Todd said.
Camera IconScenes from Long Point in Port Kennedy today where a sub adult blue whale has beached. Michael Wilson Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
“Whales are designed to be supported by water at all times, so having an animal this large on the sand is not good for it. It’s not a good sign at all.
Rainy conditions on Wednesday provided some relief for the animal’s skin, but were unlikely to change the overall prognosis.
“We’re in quite a good situation in that we don’t have hot sun, which is a challenge for whales, we’ve got the rain, so it’s keeping its skin moist,” Mr Todd said.
“That’s good in terms of comfort and welfare. But in terms of the overall outcome, it’s unlikely to be a good one.”
Camera IconParks and Wildlife Regional Manager Benson Todd. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian
Should the whale pass away, Mr Todd said the whale was “likely to be removed from the beach via machinery and taken away.”
The animal is believed to be sub-adult – which describes those old enough to have been weaned off its mother but yet to reach full maturity.
The tragic scene attracted a crowd of concerned locals to the coastline, where reactions were mixed between heartbreak and a desperate urge to intervene.
Cheryle Smith, 59, a local wildlife expert who pledged to stay at the beach overnight in the rain, said she had no intention of leaving the stranded whale.
“I’ve been here for hours and I’m not going anywhere,” Ms Smith said.
“I’ll stay overnight in the rain if I have to.”
Ms Smith said the whale appeared to be responding to the tide and moving on its own.
“The whale has been moving, it’s still alive, it moves with the tide and on its own, it sways back and forth.”
She believed attempts to return the whale to deeper water would ultimately be futile.
“It will die here, it will pass away right here — if they send it out to sea it’s just going to keep coming back. “It will probably pass by tomorrow morning…we need to let nature take its course.”
“People getting involved will do more harm than good. The ocean is my life, I’ll do anything to help it.”
Others struggled to watch the animal suffer without taking action.
Camera IconScenes from Long Point in Port Kennedy today where a sub adult blue whale has beached. Michael Wilson Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
Local resident Janelle Raumati, 30, rushed to the scene after hearing the news, arguing beachgoers should attempt a manual rescue.
“I came here as soon as I found out, a friend messaged me and I drove here straight away,” Ms Raumati said.
“I rushed down because these animals, we’re the voice of the animal, it’s all of our duty as people of this earth to protect the animals.
“Without them we are not what we are meant to be and vice versa.”
Ms Raumati questioned the decision to keep members of the public away from the whale because of the shark risk.
“The thing coming from police is that it’s not safe for us to be in there because there’s sharks, but they don’t have confirmation that the animal is even sick or not,” she said.
“So right now we should be helping this animal by pushing it out to sea, because whether he comes back in, at least we pushed him out to give him a chance, what if we don’t.”
Authorities have strictly reiterated that members of the public must maintain a safe distance from sick or injured marine mammals to avoid further stressing the animal and to protect themselves from physical harm.
Members of the public are urged to report any shark sightings in the Port Kennedy area to Water Police on 9442 8600.