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Manila Bulletin devider World devider Sperm whale dies after rare foray into shallow Australian waters

Sperm whale dies after rare foray into shallow Australian waters

Published Dec 13, 2023 02:26 am

SYDNEY, Australia - A sperm whale has died in Western Australia days after it was filmed in shallow waters among dozens of delighted beachgoers, authorities have said.

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This handout frame grab from video footage taken and released by the Western Australia Department of Bioiversity, Conservation and Attractions on December 12, 2023 shows a stranded sperm whale at Rockingham. A sperm whale has died in Western Australia days after it was filmed in shallow waters among dozens of delighted beachgoers, authorities have said. Curious swimmers paddled out to stroke the 30-tonne mammal after it was spotted close to shore south of state capital Perth over the weekend (AFP PHOTO / WA DEPARTMENT OF BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND ATTRACTIONS)

Curious swimmers paddled out to stroke the 30-tonne mammal after it was spotted close to shore south of state capital Perth over the weekend.

But wildlife officers urged crowds to stay away from the 15-metre (50-foot) whale, saying it was clearly sick and dying.

"It is really unusual for a sperm whale to be anywhere near these metropolitan waters," incident controller Mark Cugley said Tuesday afternoon after confirming the whale had died.

"We don't really know why, it is very unusual. It is obvious that it wasn't well."

A traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony was held on Tuesday evening to farewell the whale -- a species of deep significance in local Indigenous lore.

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