The body of the 18 metre sperm whale was washed up in Fairhaven, Australia, after floating off the coast and in shallow water the previous days.
To prevent the rotting body from spreading diseases and distressing the tourists, the body is dissected by heavy machinery and transferred to a local landfill by dump trucks. An increased risk of sharks has also been declared in the region after one has already been observed close by.
Dr Fitzgerald from the Victoria Museum stresses that "Despite the tragic circumstances – especially in live strandings – one thing that’s important to note is that wash-ups are rare and important opportunities for scientists, given [whales] are sentinels of oceanic health.”
The full article can be found here: Fairhaven whale: Shark warning issued after whale carcass washed up on Fairhaven beach (theage.com.au)
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