Authorities have outlined how they might dispose of a whale carcass washed up near Rainbow Beach.
Residents found the carcass north of the popular tourist town, near the ramp accessing the beach drive to Inskip Point. It is understood to have washed ashore late Monday evening.
Rainbow Beach resident Greg McCarthy said on Facebook the whale’s body appeared to be in “very good condition” and “the only damage seemed to be a little bit around the tail”.
The whale, described as “mature”, died of natural causes, authorities believe.
It is understood the whale washed up near Rainbow Beach on Monday evening.
Rangers and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have discussed either moving the whale further onto land and burying it or towing it out to sea.
A Department of Environment spokesman said strandings “can happen for many different reasons, including natural mortality, and can occur anywhere along the Queensland coast. Whales can also die at sea and remain unseen by the public”.
“We can expect to see a small number of whale deaths and strandings each year during the annual migration,” the spokesman said.
“This includes whales suffering from natural disease issues and juveniles being attacked by predators.
“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.”
He said any sightings of stranded marine life, including whales, should be reported to the DES and local council.
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The death of this whale, follows the death of a young humpback which became stranded at the mouth of the Susan River on the Fraser Coast on Friday.
Whale watching season officially launches in July.’