Humpback whale found dead on Bongaree Beach, Bribie Island

A humpback whale has been found dead on Bribie Island after spending hours stranded in the Pumicestone Passage.

A humpback whale has been found dead on Bribie Island. Credit: Maritime Recovery Group

A humpback whale has been found dead on Bribie Island after spending hours stranded in the Pumicestone Passage.

The humpback was first spotted in the passage off Sylvan Beach at Bellara before it headed up the channel towards Banksia Beach about 4pm on Tuesday.

Witnesses said the whale had appeared to be towing a rope with a buoy attached, and it looked to have been attacked by sharks.

A Department of Environment spokesman has confirmed the whale had been found dead this morning.

“It is a deceased adult or sub-adult in poor condition,” the spokesman said.

“We’ve been called in and we’re on scene.”

A humpback whale has been found dead on Bribie Island. Credit: Maritime Recovery Group

Maritime Recovery Group member Jim Mckinnon - who had spotted the whale yesterday - said the whale was located at Bongaree Beach this morning.

“It looks like it tried to turn around and make it back to the ocean, but has been seen in shallow waters right by the beach near the bowls club,” Mr Mckinnon said.

Mr Mckinnon said one of his crew members reported the sighting.

“One of our crew members saw the whale swimming in the passage, it appeared to be towing a large rope with a buoy behind it, and it appeared to be entangled in rope,” he said.

“By the time we got there, it appeared that the rope had been removed from it, it must have fell off and it was hiding in the shallow water.

“It appeared to have lots of wounds on it, like it’s been attacked by sharks.”

A humpback whale has been found dead on Bribie Island. Credit: Maritime Recovery Group

Mr Mckinnon said the whale was seen in very shallow waters.

“It went into a very shallow section that was about 3m to 5m in depth,” he said.

“It appeared to go in there on purpose to try and probably get away from predators.”

The 55-year-old said he had never previously seen a whale in the Pumicestone Passage.

“I have lived here my whole life and I have never seen a whale in the passage upwards of the bridge before,” he said.

“You’ll see them around Skirmish Point, you’ll see them along the beach at Woorim, but we never see them come around the tip.

“It’s very rare.”

A Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation spokeswoman said rangers from the department attended the scene on Wednesday morning and assisted with the removal of the whale from the beach.

“On 31 July 2024, rangers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation responded to reports of a stranded whale near Bongaree Beach on Bribie Island,” the spokeswoman said.

“The sub-adult whale was in poor condition prior to its death.

“Marine Park Rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will attempt to refloat the carcass to move it away from the populated area.

“Samples will be taken from the whale and provided to Sea World.”

The DES spokeswoman added that when a whale becomes stranded, the department works with local authorities 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,” the spokeswoman said.

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

“Marine animals can also carry zoonotic diseases, so people should never touch them, and members of the public should not attempt to return stranded whales to the ocean.”

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

Originally published as Humpback whale found dead on Bongaree Beach, Bribie Island