Drone captures tiger shark frenzy on dead humpback off Hervey Bay

Drone footage has captured 50 tiger sharks feeding on the carcass of a humpback off the coast of Hervey Bay. Watch the video:

Drone footage has captured a shark feeding frenzy off the coast of Hervey Bay as rangers inspected the carcass of a dead humpback.

Marine park rangers shot the footage, which showed about 50 tiger sharks feeding on the remains of the humpback.

It is the fifth dead whale to be found in the Wide Bay in the past week.

Senior ranger Daniel Clifton said the vision was a reminder for people to keep clear of marine animal remains and showed the important ecological relationship between sharks and whales.

“Where there are dead whales, there are likely sharks nearby and this vision clearly shows why this is the case,” Mr Clifton said.

“The death of one whale, although sad, creates a life source for many other scavenging animals including fish, sharks and other marine life.

“We’re fortunate here in the Great Sandy Marine Park that we can experience these natural processes first-hand.”

A beached whale on K'gari 23/06/2023.

Mr Clifton said sharks could still be present near whales in shallow waters.

“That is why we ask people to keep their distance from dead whales that wash up near the shore,” he said.

“Marine animals can also carry zoonotic diseases, so you should never touch them.

“The QPWS and local councils have highly trained experts ready to deploy to whale strandings, and it is best to wait for the experts to attend and assist during stranding events.”

The humpback’s remains have been anchored to a secure spot to allow for natural processes to continue.

The discovery of the remains follows the discovery of a stranded humpback at Susan River on June 16, which later died.

On June 20, a dead humpback whale washed up at Inskip Point, near Rainbow Beach, then on June 22, a Bryde’s whale stranded and later died at Eurong, K’gari.

A whale stranded at the mouth of the Susan River died.

On June 24, a second Bryde’s whale stranded and later died at Cathedral beach, K’gari and on June 25, the dead humpback was reported to the Department of Environment and Science.

Mr Clifton said as the population of whales migrating up Queensland’s coast continued to grow, so would the number of whales dying of natural causes.

“This an inevitable and natural by-product of this conservation success,” he said.

“When a whale strands, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works with local councils and Traditional Owners to determine the best method of disposal.

“This includes burial in nearby dunes or being towed and secured in mangroves at certain islands off Queensland’s coast.

“Depending on the location, deceased whales can also be left in-situ, and as part of the natural processes, providing food for birds, crustaceans and other marine and terrestrial animals.”

All sightings of stranded marine life, including whales, should be reported immediately to DES on 1300 130 372 or to the relevant council.