Breaking up is hard to do

Locals and officials keeping a close eye on the whale washed up on Forrest Caves beach earlier this month, say the giant mammal is starting to break up.

Officers from Parks Victoria who are leading the response team, are closely monitoring the situation and reported parts of the skeleton have separated from the blubber and are being buried above the high tide line.

The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) had previously advised allowing the whale carcass to break down naturally was the most environmentally friendly option.
The process is expected to take at least six to eight weeks.

The area is being regularly monitored by Fisheries Victoria and it is still recommended to avoid the area until the whale breaks up completely. It is hoped the high tides over Easter will help further break up the carcass and move it off shore.

Beachgoers are reminded to stay at least 300 metres away from the carcass. Whales, alive or dead, are protected under the Wildlife Act and it is an offence for members of the public to interfere, take or be in possession of parts of a dead whale.

Swimming in the area between Surf Beach and Woolamai Beach is not recommended.

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