The sperm whale found stranded in a remote bay in the Whitsundays two weeks ago has been buried by decision of Queensland Parks and Wildlife.
The 18m male whale had originally been stranded alive in Sinclair Bay, Cape Gloucester, on Wednesday, June 15 but unfortunately passed away overnight, before washing up on a beach directly in front of private residences.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers relocated the carcass over the next week, estimated to weigh around 50 tonnes, to a more suitable burial location close to the initial stranding site.
Rather than removing the carcass from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the decision was made to bury it for environmental, cultural, safety, and logistical reasons.
Wildlife officers said this significant feat wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local landowners, Whitsunday Regional Council and a local earth-moving contractor.
Reef Joint Field Management Program Senior Conservation Officer Natalie Sands said this incident was a rare occurrence in Whitsundays.
“Sperm whales usually inhabit deeper offshore waters,” she said.
“We do sometimes see sperm whales in Queensland waters including the Great Barrier Reef, but for one to live strand on the inshore coast is unusual.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers first were alerted to the whale while it was stranded alive in Sinclair Bay
