Beached whale euthanised: tragic end to community efforts to rescue injured deep-sea whale near Bunbury

Residents from an idyllic coastal suburb south of Bunbury pulled together in a brave bid to rescue an injured whale on Tuesday morning after the 4-metre-long mammal was found beached by a community member out walking their dog. Initially thought to be a dolphin, the Gray’s Beaked Whale was discovered on the shores of Dalyellup Beach about 6am with bruising and lacerations to its body. A shark warning for the area has been issued due to the animal bleeding from its wounds. After raising the call over social media, locals headed to the beach to try to save the injured animal. Despite these heroic efforts, the animal had to be euthanised by Parks and Wildlife officers. Volunteer and conservationist from Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre, Axel Grossmann, was among those first on the scene, arriving just before 6.30am. While on his way to the beach, Mr Grossmann called Parks & Wildlife officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for more specialised help. “Upon arrival it became clear that it wasn’t a dolphin but a Gray’s Beaked Whale, a species of whale that belongs into deeper water,” Mr Grossmann said. “It was in very poor condition being bashed around in the rising tide and strong waves. An animal which is in such bad health has to be assessed by DBCA and a vet before being released back into the wild.” He said the “amazing team” of beach goers worked incredibly hard to keep the animal calm, comforted and stabilised to help it breathe — a task hindered by the rough water conditions. This became dangerous for the team of rescuers, who were at risk of being crushed by the 500kg whale each time a bigger waved hit the beach, forcing the helpers to abort the mission several times. “Sadly the rough conditions flushed the animal into deeper water and couldn’t be stopped from swimming away,” Mr Grossmann said. About an hour later Parks & Wildlife officer located the whale on a beach a few kilometres south of Dalyellup, but the animal’s injuries were too severe and it had to be euthanised. Measurements were taken and the animal was assessed to be removed by Capel Shire. Mr Grossman said anyone who finds a beached whale or dolphin should call the DBCA Wildcare Helpline immediately on 08 9474 9055 or the Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury on 08 9791 3088. “A large dolphin or a whale weighs hundreds of kilograms or more and can cause injury to helpers if it moves suddenly and uncontrolled,” he said. “Please be careful when you approach the animal. You can cover it carefully with wet towels to protect it from the sun but please keep the blowhole always open and clear so it can breathe.”