Whale lost despite frantic efforts of locals

A beautiful whale has died in a patch of Queensland’s paradise despite valiant efforts by Whitsunday locals to save it. Some of the community were left in tears at the majestic humpback’s passing.

A beautiful humpback whale has died in a patch of Queensland’s paradise despite frantic efforts by Whitsunday locals to save it.

The alarm was raised on social media just before lunchtime on Friday when it was found stranded at Conway Beach, about 25 kilometres from Airlie Beach.

Eems Craig was among the first to raise the alarm prompting many to offer to come down and try to keep the whale covered with water as government agencies, organisations and wildlife rescue groups were contacted.

A massive whale has died after being stranded at Conway Beach in the Whitsunday region. Photo: Estelle Sanchez

“Still alive but out of water and tide is dropping,’’ Mr Craig posted.

The whale died about 1.30pm on Conway Beach after it got stranded on the left corner of the bay.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers who were on site said there was no indication at this stage as to why the whale got stranded.

Some on Facebook speculated it could have become confused with ‘lots of disturbance from the military training’ in the area.

They are among 22 ships from at least five nations participating in the maritime component of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 – which comprises more than 31,000 military personnel from 13 countries – throughout Queensland, parts of northern NSW, the Northern Territory and Western Australia from now though to early August.

Mount Julian resident Allan Connell in front of the whale. Photo: Estelle Sanchez

Mount Julian resident Allan Connell said his son had been at the beach when the whale died at half past one.

“They couldn’t do anything,” he said.

Mr Connell said he had been living in the area for 40 years, but had never seen a whale get stuck there.

He estimated the whale was about 14 to 15 metres long and three metres wide.

People were still walking toward the whale as the tide came in. Photo: Estelle Sanchez

After 3pm, people were still walking toward the whale as the tide came in.

Millions of little crabs were covering the whale’s body.

Residents walking to the whale said some locals had tried to walk over to the whale and dig around it so that more water could come in and take it back.

A number of people brought shovels and tried to bring water towards the animal.

But the tide was still six hours away and the whale was lying on its lungs so it didn’t make it to the next tide.

Residents said as the whale was too heavy, there was no way for people to try and drag it back in the water.

A number of people drove their cars all the way unto the beach to get as close as possible before walking to the whale.

Some people were crying when they saw the whale, some would come closer and touch it.

After the whole community came together to try and save the whale, but that it failed, other people just walked to have a look, with their kids.

One of the kids said that touching the whale “felt like rubber”.

The whale was still warm on touching about an hour after it had passed.

The Whitsunday whale drama comes after a Sea World rescue team has rushed to a shark-riddled Gold Coast lake after a stranded seal was spotted sunning itself in the deadly waters.

The 18-month-old seal was seen by local residents in Lake Orr at Varsity Lakes.

Area Gold Coast city councillor Hermann Vorster said the lake was “full of bull sharks” and he was worried for the seal’s safety.