A juvenile humpback whale that washed ashore on the Sunshine Coast has been removed and towed 20 nautical miles out to sea after crews worked through the night.
Sunshine Coast Council responded about 4pm on Tuesday after Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service reported a dead whale floating between Point Cartwright and Mudjimba.
Council environment crews responded and, by 5pm, the whale had drifted to the northern end of Mooloolaba.
Quick-moving tides meant the carcass was likely to wash ashore at Alexandra Headland before boat crews could intervene.
The council established an exclusion zone at the beach for public safety as the whale came ashore. It was then removed at first light.
“It is extremely sad to see such a majestic animal like this, however council crews are asking people to stay a safe distance away. Thanks for your understanding,” Mayor Rosanna Natoli wrote on her Facebook page early on Wednesday morning.
Council crews collected samples and measurements to submit to authorities for research, along with a strandings report.
The whale was an intact juvenile female humpback measuring 6.7m. Its cause of death is unknown.
Crews also tested the whale for H5 bird flu on site. No test result was provided in a council statement provided on Wednesday morning.
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A GPS tracker was fitted to the carcass to monitor its movements and allow authorities to intervene if it drifts back towards the coast.
The council said data collected would also support the future management of whale carcasses.
People are still being advised to follow lifeguard directions and swim between the flags.
