Grim update after sperm whale spotted at beach

Swimmers at an Australian beach were stoked to see a 15 metre sperm whale come close to shore on Monday, but authorities have since given a grim update.

A 15-metre sperm whale that beached itself on a Rockingham sandbar over the weekend after stunning swimmers at a crowded beach will likely be euthanised, authorities say.

Authorities were notified of the whale swimming worryingly close to shore early Monday morning at the West Australian beach just south of Perth.

A 15-metre sperm whale beached itself on a Rockingham sandbar near Perth. Picture: DBCA

It had previously been spotted at Port Beach, near Fremantle, on Saturday, doing the same as it slowly headed south.

The whale’s visit has been blasted over social media in the days since. Extraordinary footage and pictures show beachgoers swimming to the whale, just a short paddle from shore.

One West Australian observed it appeared to be coming close to shore before moving back to deeper water and appeared “happy”.

Authorities were notified after the whale swam close to swimmers. Picture: Ori Weiser

But after eventually beaching itself in Rockingham, the outlook has worsened for the animal.

“It’s not really got that energy that you would expect from a healthy animal, so I’d say it’s resting, and I think at the moment it’s protecting one side of itself from any predators, positioning itself in a way that we might expect in an animal who’s not well and needs to rest,” Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Swan Coastal district manager Mark Cugley told media late Monday.

The whale was previously spotted at Port Beach, near Fremantle, on Saturday. Picture: DBCA

“Yesterday, it was swimming in those tight circles, which isn’t normal behaviour, which … makes us concerned that not everything is well with the animal.

“At times, it became grounded on shallow sandbars, and it would swim off again, then it would get grounded again, so it’s concerning, and that’s why we need to fully assess its health.

“It’s got a little bit of sunburn, and it’s a little bit sunken and depressed behind its melon (forehead), which isn’t a great sign of body condition.”

DBCA Swan Coastal district manager Mark Cugley. Picture: DBCA

DBCA science coordinator Kelly Waples. The authorities are working to determine the best way to euthanise the animal if need be. Picture: DBCA

Mr Cugley added that experts’ examination of the whale had yielded concerning results.

“We don’t know (the weight) of this individual, of course, but it has lost body condition,” he said.

“Looking at the animal’s condition, it’s not got a lot of strength (and) it’s got a higher respiration rate, which suggests that it’s stressed.”

On Monday, DBCA science coordinator Kelly Waples said that sperm whales generally live far offshore and seldom come to the shallows.

“They live offshore in deep water, and that’s where they forage and spend their time,” Dr Waples said.

“It’s actually sitting on the on the sand floor.

“They weigh … between 30 and 35 tonnes, and you can imagine that all of that body weight is squashing down on its internal organs.

“Normally, this is an animal that’s supported fully by the seawater, so that kind of compression is a very bad situation to be in.”

Mr Cugley said authorities are still working to determine the best way to euthanise the animal in the coming days, if need be, as per the International Whaling Convention.

In the meantime, authorities will continue to pour water on the whale to keep it wet and comfortable and stop blistering from the sun.

The beach is expected to be closed for several days, and a shark warning has been issued.

Originally published as Grim update after sperm whale spotted at beach