Beached Bryde’s whale found north of Eurong Beach, K’gari

Rangers on Fraser Island are working to dispose of the remains of a Bryde’s whale after it washed up north of Eurong Beach, the third recorded whale death in a week, but more deaths are expected.

K’gari rangers will dispose of the remains of a Bryde’s whale that washed up north of Eurong Beach on Thursday morning.

A Bryde’s whale washed up on the north shore of a K’gari beach on Thursday, a day before the start of the school holidays and experts say it will not be the last.

It is the third whale to die on the Fraser Cooloola Coast in a week, after a humpback died in the mouth of the Susan River on Friday, June 16, and another humpback was found dead on the beach between Rainbow Beach and Inskip Point on Tuesday.

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Found north of Eurong Beach, the 10.8m Bryde’s whale was reported stranded alive on Thursday morning June 23, and after initial attempts to refloat the animal, it died.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said rangers would dispose of the whale’s remains.

“The whale later died as a result of natural causes, and Butchulla Traditional Owners carried out a smoking ceremony,” the spokeswoman said.

“Rangers have taken samples for testing and will move the whale to an appropriate disposal location behind the foredune.”

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The spokesperson said with more than 30,000 humpbacks migrating up to Queensland waters to breed and calve, strandings and deaths should be expected.

“Strandings and deaths can happen for many different reasons, including natural mortality, disease issues and juveniles being attacked by predators,” they said.

“Whales also die at sea and remain unseen by the public.”

Rangers have advised for everyone to stay away from the area on K’gari, and not get close or touch the whale as they can carry diseases.

“If a whale is stranded in shallow water, be wary of entering the water, as sharks may be around or the whale could move and injure you.

“Look after your own safety first.”

Originally published as Beached Bryde’s whale found north of Eurong Beach, K’gari