By James Mooney
A humpback whale that washed up on a beach in the state's South West has been successfully removed.
It took a six-hour operation by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to remove 13-metre carcass after it washed up on Honeycombs Beach.
Parks and Wildlife Blackwood District operations officer Ed Hatherley said the removal required ten people, a traxcavator, excavator and skid steer loader in challenging conditions.
"After retrieving the carcass from the shallows, it was wrapped in tarpaulins, netting and chains, and was carefully maneuvered by machinery up an incline, through a narrow gap in the dunes and down to a waiting semi-trailer with a low loader."
A humpback whale that washed up on Honeycombs Beach has been removed.Credit: Department of Parks and Wildlife
"The animal was then firmly secured in the trailer and transported to a landfill facility."
Mr Hatherley said the male adult whale, which weighed about 30 tonnes, was removed for safety reasons.
"Because the decomposing whale had the potential to attract sharks and was dangerously rolling around in the shallows, we made the quick decision to remove it," he said.
Anyone who sees a troubled or stranded whale, or a whale carcass, should call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.