World News – AU – The Victorian beach was closed when a massive sperm whale washed ashore

Authorities closed a popular beach in Victoria after a large sperm whale carcass washed ashore causing heightened shark fears.

After the adult sperm whale died on Patchs Beach, South Ballina, officials from Crown Land, National Parks and ORRCA attempted to remove the 54-ton, 17-meter-long marine mammal from the beach. Today, Dolphin Marine Rescue vets performed an autopsy on the animal. The animal’s jaw and teeth were stolen overnight.

The 18 m long sperm whale was seen swimming for the first time on Monday. It was washed ashore overnight. Image: DELWPSource: Facebook

Authorities closed a beach in Victoria after a large sperm whale carcass washed ashore overnight.

The 18 m long sperm whale was seen yesterday in coastal waters and washed up on the beach at Fairhaven Beach on the surfing coast overnight.

A warning from VicEmergency today urged locals and tourists not to enter any body of water on the beach, as sharks are increasingly spotted on Fairhaven Beach.

The 18 m long sperm whale was seen swimming for the first time on Monday. It was washed ashore overnight. Image: DELWPSource: Facebook

« An increase in shark activity was reported today in Fairhaven due to a large whale carcass, » VicEmergency said in a statement. “A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and means they are closer to the shore than normal.

« While it is not uncommon for sharks to live off the Victorian coast, extra caution should be exercised in the area. Stay informed and avoid entering the water on closed beaches. ”

The Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said the crews are on site and an incident management team is deciding what to do with the carcass.

Fairhaven Beach has been temporarily closed between Fairhaven and Moggs Creek while crews work to remove the carcass.

Fairhaven is a small town with a population at the last census of only 296.

It’s a popular vacation destination, and Fairhaven Beach is the longest on Great Ocean Rd at 4 miles.

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Whales, Great Ocean Road, Moggs Creek, Sperm Whale