An adult humpback whale has been discovered in a waterway north of the Sunshine Coast.
A member of the public saw the whale on the shoreline of Dream Island in the Great Sandy Strait off K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and reported it to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
Marine park rangers conducted a visual inspection of the 10-12m whale, which had beached itself, and samples of the animal were taken for analysis.
Rangers then towed the whale about 1km to a secluded location near mangroves, to allow the natural processes of decomposition to continue.
The DESI issued a media release stating that, during the annual migration, whales can strand or die for different reasons including poor health, injury or predation.
The department urged people to steer clear of whales.
“Whenever a whale strands or moves on the tides in open water, people are advised to stay away from the animal,” they stated in the release.
“Whales can carry zoonotic diseases, and people are advised never to touch them.
“People must be aware that sharks feed on whale carcasses, which can increase the danger if people approach a stranded or deceased whale.”
Deceased or stranded marine life, including whales, should be reported immediately to DESI on 1300 130 372 or to the relevant council.
