Devastating scenes as beach goers find deceased whale at One Mile Beach
NSW National Parks, Port Stephens Council and ORRCA are working to remove a dead whale at One Mile Beach at Port Stephens, found by beach goers early Thursday morning.
Newcastle
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Heartbreaking scenes in Port Stephens after a juvenile humpback whale was found dead at One Mile Beach early Thursday morning.
Beach goers notified Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) that the whale had washed ashore. NSW National Parks and Port Stephens Council are also part of a team working together to remove the mammal.
A council spokesperson said whale is believed to be about one or two years old.
“We have found out it’s 9.7 metres in length, weighing around eight tonne,” they said.
“We’re working together with NSW National Parks and ORRCA to remove the whale from the beach as soon as possible.
“It will depend on the tide because we need to get machinery down to the beach.”
Surf Life Saving NSW have now closed the beach, with danger there could be sharks at the beach. The beach will be closed today and Friday and will be reassessed on Saturday.
People are warned to stay away from the water and avoid the area.
“Take precaution and stay out of the water,” the council spokesperson said.
The Newcastle News understands an autopsy will follow once the whale is retrieved.