Rescuers who led a 10-hour fight to save a whale found washed ashore at Mystics Beach say they are “gutted” at the creature’s death.
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The 3.75-metre beaked whale was euthanased late Thursday night after multiple failed attempts to return it to sea.
Killalea State Park manager Nathan Cattell was among a small group of people who stayed with the creature throughout its ordeal.
“We’re gutted; all of us – it’s very sad,” he said.
“It was a massive effort. At the end of the day we all stuck together and gave it our best.”
Mr Cattell’s 13-year-old daughter Layla was one of about 15 helpers who rushed to Mystics to help hold the whale steady and keep it wet and calm on the sand as National Parks and Wildlife finalised a rescue plan.
It was hauled out to waist-deep water and looked to be headed for open waters, but then became re-stranded about 4.40pm.
The whale was lifted onto a trailer and transported by road to Shellharbour Boat Ramp, where a vet later deemed it too weak to survive at sea.
The creature’s body showed some bruising, scrapes and a cookie-cutter shark bite.
ORCCA president Ronny Ling said it was likely the animal had a pre-existing ailment that had compelled it to leave deep waters and head for the shore.
“A lot of the time, there may be something we can’t recognise as being wrong with them which may have led to the original stranding,” he said.
“Something has brought this animal in close – it was a long way out of its range.”
Contrary to early reports that indicated the animal was a baby, Mr Ling described the whale as “sub-adult”.
A necropsy to be carried out later Friday was expected to determine to which of the more than 20 species of beaked whale the creature belonged.
“We always encourage necropsies on marine mammals simply because there’s so much to be learnt,” Mr Ling said said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather information, especially on such a rare animal.
“With the information [gathered from the necropsy], you may be able to help the next whale that comes ashore.”
Mr Ling called on anyone who finds a stranded marine mammal to act with urgency.
“Once these animals are on land they’re compromised and going to die unless they get help,” he said. “The number one thing is that people don’t put themselves at risk. These aniamls can lash out wthi their tails and can roll on people. It’s about keeping them calm until help arrives.”
Contact ORCCA’s 24-hour hotline to report an injured or distressed marine mammal - 9415 3333.
