Whale washes ashore in Tasmania

A large sperm whale became stranded in shallow waters at Turners Beach near Devonport on Tasmania's north-west coast yesterday.

Rescue attempt fails

Tasmania Police and members of Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service managed the whale, but the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said it had since died.

Residents describe distressing scene

Turners Beach resident Haydn said there was a lot of blood in the water. About one hundred residents gathered this morning. Two rangers kept people out of the water due to shark risk.

“Right now we've got two rangers here just basically babysitting the whale, making sure no-one goes in the water because of the risk of sharks.”

Resident spotted whale at peak tide

Emma Eustace spotted the whale at about six forty-five pm and called the Marine Conservation program. She was advised a crew would come in the morning and warned the whale may have bird flu.

Unusual sighting for popular beach

Local Greg Tompos said Turners Beach is popular year-round with fifty to eighty people walking daily. He said the whale sighting was unusual, with only a seal spotted previously.

Veterinarian to examine the whale

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said a specialist wildlife veterinarian will take samples and examine the whale to determine the cause of death. People are asked to stay away.

“While this is a sad outcome, strandings occur for a range of reasons and wildlife deaths are a natural part of life in the marine environment.”