- New-born whale euthanized after it became stranded on a Queensland beach
- Deemed by authorities the whale wouldn’t be able to survive without its mother
- Authorities kept the six-week old calf comfortable until it was euthanised
A new-born whale has been euthanized after it became stranded on a Queensland beach.
Wildlife authorities said the baby humpback whale would not be able to survive in captivity without its mother after it washed up on Dundowran Beach on Sunday – because the animals need to learn behaviour off other whales.
Crews from Queensland Parks and Wildlife, ORCA Whale and Seal Rescue, Blue Dolphin Whale Watching and the Pacific Whale Foundation kept the six-week old calf comfortable until it was euthanised.
A new-born whale has been euthanized after it became stranded on a Queensland beach
It was deemed by authorities that the baby humpback whale would not be able to survive with its mother after it washed up on Dundowran Beach on Sunday
Vicki Neville from Tasman Venture whale rescue told the Fraser Coast Chronicle locals had seen the whale near the shoreline and hopes it would reunite with its mother.
Natalie Richadson from Wildlife Rescue Fraser Coast said euthanasia was the most humane option for the calf.
‘It is an extremely sad situation, but people need to take into account that there’s many reasons as to why the calf has become stranded and unless it can be successfully and quickly reunited with its mother, the only humane option is euthanasia,’ she said.
‘Humpback whales are not a species that can be taken into care for raising or rehabilitation.
‘Trying to keep it alive in a facility somewhere would be unkind and impractical and would simply cause more distress to the animal and additional suffering to it.’
Crews from Queensland Parks and Wildlife, ORCA Whale and Seal Rescue, Blue Dolphin Whale Watching and the Pacific Whale Foundation kept the six-week old calf comfortable until it was euthanised