Whale strandings, like the one that occurred at Seven Mile Beach last weekend, are likely to become more common because of the growth in the east coast humpback population, a rescue and research organisation says.
The stranding and subsequent death of the 30-tonne mammal produced widespread distress and concern within the local community, including questions about why the stranding occurred, and what was done to try and save it.
In an interview with ABC North Coast on Monday morning, Skippy Love from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), said there were likely to be more such incidents in the future.
‘As you’re seeing the increasing numbers, which is fantastic to see as part of the [population’s] recovery, you’re going to see increased cases of strandings,’ Ms Love said.
‘They’re the closest they’ve been to the shore in 13 years.
‘The water’s also clearer than it’s been in recent years – we’ve had the floods and the fires polluting the waters. The animals want to take the quickest route on their migration and that’s taking them closer to the shore this year.’
Medical cause suspected
Ms Love said that it was not known why the whale, estimated to be between five and ten years old, became stranded, but that a medical cause was suspected.
‘No one can say for sure, and each case is individual,’ she said.
‘But when it’s a single mammal like this, it’s quite often a result of sickness or injury, and I think clearly this animal was compromised. It could have died from natural causes. The animal was in good body condition, so you’d have to think there was some kind of internal medical condition. We all come to the end of our time.’
Foundation and Head Veterinarian at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (BBWH), Dr Bree Talbot, told The Echo that everything had been done to save the mammal, and then to reduce its suffering, as part of a multi-agency response, involving the BBWH, the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, ORCCA and experts from Seaworld.
‘We all worked together to keep the animal cool – putting water on him with wet towels – providing anti-anxiety/stress medication, and taking blood to analyse how well the animal’s body was coping with the event. This helps guide the vets on what the prognosis is for the whale.
‘National Parks co-ordinated with Ballina Council to help get heavy machinery in to try to move the sand.’
Rescue attempt proving unsuccessful
With the rescue attempt proving unsuccessful, the focus of the response shifted to burying the creature in a way that reflected both the traditional practices of the Nyanybal custodians, and the need to ensure public safety and environmental integrity.
With a junior surfing competition, the Skullcandy Oz Groms, due to kick off in Lennox Head on Thursday, it was important to move the dead animal away from the beach where it could attract sharks. In keeping with these considerations, the whale was buried behind the dunes at a depth that was intended to prevent leaching.
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