Coogee and Maroubra beaches have been closed as a precaution after a whale carcass washed up on the rocks between the two busy swimming and surfing spots in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The local council said it was working with rangers and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries on the whale’s removal from a “difficult-to-access location surrounded by cliffs and rock ledge”.
“As a precaution, Maroubra and Coogee Beach will remain closed until further notice while lifeguards monitor the situation and work with local stakeholders and authorities to arrange the whale’s removal,” Randwick council said.
The council said it was considering closing the surrounding area and rock shelf walkway to manage crowds on the popular coastal walk.
“At this stage, the carcass is not being removed and discussions are ongoing with the Gamay Rangers about a culturally and environmentally sensitive approach to take.”
The mayor, Dr Clare Willington, said the council would ensure that the removal was “culturally respectful” to Indigenous Australians.
“The whale is an important totem animal to the local Bidjigal people,” she said.
“This is a natural occurrence and in time nature will deal with the carcass. Our focus is to manage and limit any impact to swimmers and surfers at nearby beaches.”
The council is encouraging residents and visitors to avoid the area and follow directions from lifeguards and authorities.
It comes as authorities are working to free a large whale found stuck in shallow waters off off Turners Beach on Tasmania’s north-west coast.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area and not enter the water on the incoming tide due to the anticipated danger,” Tasmanian police said.
‘Almost looks fake’
Curious locals have stopped by Lurline Bay throughout the morning to try catch a glimpse of the whale.
Meeri Pajala, an au pair from Finland who is living in Sydney, said she had never seen anything like this before.
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“It almost looks fake to me,” she told Guardian Australia.
“That skin looks so weird.”
Glenda, a local who did not want her full name published, says she usually watches whales swimming by the coast and was curious when she heard the news.
“My interest is in if it’s newborn, or if it’s juvenile,” she said
“I thought it would be more complete.”
The carcass is relatively small and significantly deteriorated, with what appear to be bite marks along the blubber.
It was nudging up against the rocks as the waves ebbed and flowed but has become stuck in a crevice due to low tide.
To the surprise of many onlookers, it doesn’t seem to have a smell.
Authorities are still determining what species it is, and how the carcass arrived in the bay but it is believed to have died some time ago.
