13m whale carcass removed from SW beach

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has removed the carcass of a humpback whale that washed up on Honeycombs beach this week.

It took Parks and Wildlife and Cowaramup-based Cowara Contractors six hours to shift the 13-metre whale, with 10 people a traxcavator, excavator and skid steer loader called in to help with the operation.

Parks and Wildlife Blackwood District operations officer Ed Hatherley said the male adult whale weighed about 30 tonnes and was removed because it posed a safety risk to surfers and visitors to the beach.

“Because the decomposing whale had the potential to attract sharks and was dangerously rolling around in the shallows, we made the quick decision to remove it,” he said.

“Moving a carcass of this size was challenging, but I am pleased that we were able to get the job done, and I thank the local community for their patience while the beach and surrounding roads were closed.”

Anyone who sees a troubled or stranded whale, or a whale carcass, should call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.