Dead whale tested for bird flu after washing ashore on Sunshine Coast
A 6.7 metre juvenile humpback washed up and was tested for bird flu before being towed offshore.
The female whale floated between Point Cartwright and Mudjimba near Alexandra Headland on Tuesday afternoon and washed onto Alex Beach. Council officers set up a keep-out zone overnight and collected samples and measurements for research.
A GPS tracker was attached. The carcass was then dragged about 40 kilometres out to sea at first light.
Staff were ready to step in if it drifted back. The council spokesperson said the data would guide how they manage future whale strandings.
- 6.7 metres
- Size
- 40 kilometres
- Distance towed
- Alex Beach, Sunshine Coast
- Location
Why it mattersTesting dead ocean animals for disease helps officials track health threats to ocean ecosystems and coastal communities.
AustraliaSunshine Coast beaches follow precautionary protocols when marine mammals wash ashore, supporting local environmental monitoring.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
