Whale swims 11km up river

A juvenile humpback whale swam into the Clarence River near Bundjalung national park on the New South Wales mid-north coast on Saturday afternoon, an unusual but not unprecedented event.

Whale becomes stranded and dies

The whale swam onto a sandbar and became grounded in shallow water. Within thirty minutes, observers indicated the whale had died, according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Whale towed out to sea

NSW authorities towed the dead whale out to sea on Sunday. Increased shark activity was reported in the surrounding area after the carcass was removed.

Shark warnings issued for beaches

SharkSmart NSW advised beachgoers to avoid surfing, swimming, or diving at surrounding beaches due to increased shark activity attracted by the whale carcass.

Whale scientist explains rare event

Dr Vanessa Pirotta said while the circumstances were rare, whales were known to explore rivers and estuaries from time to time due to misadventure, curiosity, or ill health.

“whales were known to explore rivers and estuaries from "time to time"”

Similar incidents have occurred before

In April this year, another whale became stranded on a sandbar in Wallis Lake. In 2020, three humpback whales entered the East Alligator River in Kakadu national park, with one travelling thirty kilometres upstream.

Whale likely had underlying health issue

Orrca, the cetacean rescue organisation, said the juvenile could have been experiencing chronic illness or injury based on barnacles and organisms on its skin, though the cause of death cannot be determined from imagery alone.

“the cause of death cannot be determined from imagery alone”