LOCALS are being asked to leave whale rescues to authorities after a stranded whale on the Bellarine was pushed out to sea.<\/p>\n
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) responded to reports of a whale having washed ashore at Bancoora Beach on Saturday.<\/p>\n
When Forest and Wildlife Officers arrived on site, they found the whale had been pushed back out to sea twice by members of the public.<\/p>\n
The whale was later found deceased, having washed ashore at Breamlea.<\/p>\n
DELWP Incident Controller Barry James said if members of the public came across a beached whale or dolphin they should not approach the animal or attempt to push it back into the water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recommend they keep other people and dogs away, and immediately contact the Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline on 1300 136 017,\u201d Mr James said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLive beached whales and dolphins are in a distressed state. Often, they have come ashore as their health is compromised in some way, and they have got into difficulty.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuccessful refloating requires a veterinary assessment, followed by period of stabilisation by trained responders.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy being too close to a beached whale or dolphin, members of the public risk being hit by a tail, or being rolled on in the surf.\u201d<\/p>\n
DELWP also responded to reports of a whale having washed ashore at Thirteenth Beach on Saturday. The whale was found to be deceased.<\/p>\n
\u201cDELWP has collected samples and measurements, and these will be provided to the Melbourne Museum for identification and research purposes,\u201d Mr James said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDELWP is working with the Barwon Coast Committee to arrange the removal of the carcass, when tide conditions make it safe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking the public to stay away from the carcass, as whale remains are protected by law and must not be interfered with.<\/p>\n
“There are also health risks associated with whale decomposition, including the possibility of pathogens from whale carcasses being harmful to humans.\u201d<\/p>\n
DELWP will undertake an autopsy of the 3.4 metre carcass to try and identify the cause of death.<\/p>\n
The carcass is located in an area of the foreshore that is dangerous to access due to rising water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCALS are being asked to leave whale rescues to authorities after a stranded whale on the Bellarine was pushed out to sea. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) responded to reports of a whale having washed ashore at Bancoora Beach on Saturday. When Forest and Wildlife Officers arrived on site, they found […]<\/p>\n