Mid-North Coast: Rare whales removed from beach after washing ashore

Graphic Content: An investigation is underway after a trio of rare beaked whales washed ashore on a Port Macquarie beach.

An investigation is underway after three rare beaked whales washed up on a Mid-North Coast beach.

Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) contacted NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at about 1pm on January 6 to report the mammals were stranded on Port Macquarie’s Rocky Beach.

ORRCA and NPWS attended the scene, but the whales died shortly after staff arrived.

Three rare beaked whales became stranded on Port Macquarie shores on Wednesday afternoon, at which time ORRCA and NPWS attended the scene to retrieve the bodies. Picture: NPWS

While it is still not clear why the marine creatures washed ashore, NPWS Area Manager Shane Robinson says the coast’s recent rough weather might not be entirely to blame.

“We have been experiencing king tides and big swells, but I don’t actually think this was a factor,” he said.

“We do see strandings along the Mid North Coast from time to time, but it’s uncommon to see beaked whales this close to land anywhere in Australia.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council closed off both Flynns and Rocky beaches to remove the carcasses, although the beaches were reopened by Thursday morning.

Tuppenny Rd was cordoned off by the council while the three bodies were winched out by helicopter.

Justin Reeves, of Affinity Aviation, was tasked with airlifting the whales in a sling, as road access to the beach isn’t possible.

The Port Macquarie beaches were open as normal by Thursday morning, according to Australian Lifeguard Service’s (ALS) Blake Polverino.

“Once the whales had been removed, the health risks were minimised and the beaches could be reopened,” he said. “The bodies could have attracted sharks or caused other problems, so it was important they were removed quickly and the hardworking team did a great job making that happen.”

NSW National Parks and Wildlife transported the one-tonne bodies by road to a laboratory for further examination.

An autopsy was conducted overnight, where Ocean Warriors Australia vet Duane March worked with NPWS marine experts to learn more about the animals.

However, nothing obvious was found upon initial inspection.

Organ samples were collected to be sent off for further testing.

“Since beaked whales are oceanic animals that live in much deeper waters, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them,” Mr Robinson said.

Justin Reeves, of Affinity Aviation, airlifted the whales off the beach in a sling. Picture: NPWS

“So we’re hopeful these additional tests will provide further insight – whether it’s evidence to rule out existing theories or entirely new understandings, this study is of great scientific value.

“We also hope to find out the exact species of these beaked whales, which can only be uncovered through DNA testing.”

The additional study is expected to take at least another two weeks.

While these samples are investigated further, the whales’ skeletal remains have been secured for the Australian Museum.

The loss has been felt across the community, with many locals expressing their condolences, while others thanked everyone involved.

Lifeguards and NSW National Parks personnel were on-site on Wednesday afternoon at Flynns Beach. Picture: Port Macquarie ALS Lifeguards

“It was a great collaboration between ORRCA, NPWS, Ocean Warriors Australia and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council,” Mr Robinson.

“It’s remarkable that a retrieval of this size was able to be carried out on such short notice.”

NPWS advises locals to get in touch with them, or contact the ORRCA hotline, if they ever see marine wildlife in need of assistance. Or, if a similar instance occurs on a patrolled beach, locals are asked to notify lifeguards.