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Sharks feed off whale carcass at Outer Harbor, prompting a warning from a local rescue group

Vision has emerged of sharks ferociously feeding off a whale carcass floating off the coast at Outer Harbor on Monday.

Sharks feed on whale carcass (ABC Adelaide)

A whale carcass has drawn sharks near the shore of a metropolitan beach, prompting a warning to boaties and beachgoers from a local rescue group.

Vision captured at least two sharks feeding on the whale’s corpse at Outer Harbor, and was posted to social media on Monday.

Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation’s Aaron Machado said the carcass had been floating towards the Outer Harbor shore for the past couple of days – but had disappeared again on Tuesday morning.

“Rarely do they get this close to suburban beaches … but it happens,” Mr Machado said.

He said the whale, of an unknown species, was floating due to the gases in its stomach, and may attract dozens of sharks as it decomposes.

“Just leave it alone, and let mother nature take care of itself,” he said.

Mr Machado warned people not to get close to the sharks as they move closer to the shore to feed off the body.

“Don’t be silly enough to become part of that food chain,” he said.

“People need to be careful when travelling in their vessels, if they see something, just steer clear of it.”

The cause of the whale’s death is not known.

The environment department referred inquiries to the transport department.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sharks-feed-off-whale-carcass-at-outer-harbor-prompting-a-warning-from-a-local-rescue-group/news-story/dc1434635b57c94083384117ede0bfd1