Humpback whale stranded on Cronulla’s Greenhills Beach to be tested for bird flu
Updated ,first published
It was stated that the newborn humpback whale, which was stranded on the Sydney beach overnight, died and its carcass will be tested for H5N1 bird flu as a precaution.
A member of the public called the Australian Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Organization (ORRCA) helpline to report the stranded whale at Greenhills Beach in Cronulla at around 6.30am on Friday.
ORRCA president Ashley Ryan said response teams were quickly deployed but “despite rescue efforts by response agencies, the calf unfortunately died shortly after responders arrived.”
Ryan said it was a male humpback whale newborn calf, about 15 feet long, with its umbilical cord and fetal folds (visible wrinkles in the skin from writhing in the womb) still attached. ORRCA was working with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Indigenous ranger group Gamay Rangers and Sutherland Shire Council to complete operational requirements and First Nations cultural protocols.
The carcass has now been removed from the beach and Ryan said it will be tested for H5N1, the virulent strain of bird flu that has devastated marine life overseas. He said it has not yet been decided whether a full autopsy will be performed.
As a precaution, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and local lifeguards have been notified so that appropriate SharkSmart warnings can be implemented.
Ryan said the cause of the stranding is unknown at this stage.
“There are many reasons why whales become stranded, including disease, injury, separation from the mother, navigation difficulties or other natural factors,” he said. “It is too early to determine what led to this particular incident.”
A spokesperson for the NSW H5 Avian Influenza Response said there were no recorded cases of humpback whales contracting the virus anywhere in the world. Precautionary testing of marine mammals found on beaches could be carried out as part of an “agreed national approach to monitoring and surveillance of H5 bird flu”, the spokesman said.
H5N1 infected dolphins, porpoises, and seals, which have been known to scavenge dead seabirds. Baleen whales, such as humpback whales, are at lower risk because they feed on krill and some small fish, but they are capable of carrying viruses.
Marine biologist Dr. from Macquarie University, who specializes in whale research. Vanessa Pirotta said the calf was probably a few days old, or even a few hours old, and could have been stillborn or sick at birth. Pirotta said occasional beachings can be expected with or without bird flu, especially during the peak of humpback whale season.
However, Pirotta said that when whales die, they normally do not come ashore, so the situation with bird flu and whales is unknown. He said there were concerns that annual humpback migration figures on the west coast might be lower this year due to the virus, but this was uncertain.
“Given the opportunity to sample a whale like this, it would be a no-brainer to also sample for bird flu,” Pirotta said. “Birds and whales coexist, and we often see birds near whales, and these whales come directly from areas where we know there is bird flu, like Antarctica.”
H5N1 bird flu reached Australia last month after spreading to all continents. In June, sick seabirds blown off course from their flight path beneath Antarctica began landing on the Australian coastline, first in Western Australia, then in South Australia and NSW. A week ago, the virus was detected in a local bird in South Australia.
The virus has decimated seabirds and marine mammals worldwide, and experts warn more than 100 Australian species are at risk of extinction or being pushed to the brink of extinction. It has also hit the poultry industry abroad.
State and federal governments in Australia have prepared to track and map the flight routes of migratory birds and have some vaccines in reserve for endangered species.
Gamay Rangers manager Bryce Liddell said humpback whales, or “burriburri,” have deep cultural significance and his group should be involved in any testing and disposal.
“The priority is burial outside the country,” Liddell said. “The importance of burriburri to traditional owners and the wider community is why events like this should prioritize culturally appropriate options rather than ending up in landfill.”
Citizens are reminded to stay away from stranded marine mammals, keep dogs on leashes away from the area, and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
Anyone who encounters a stranded, injured or entangled whale, dolphin or seal should immediately call the ORRCA 24-hour rescue helpline on (02) 9415 3333 or NPWS on 1300 072 757.
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Caitlin Fitzsimmons is the environment and climate correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously a social affairs reporter and Money editor.Connect via email.
