How will City Beach get rid of its whale carcass?
Authorities in Perth, Australia, are struggling to dispose of a 31-tonne whale carcass that washed up on City Beach. The decomposing whale has forced beach closures and attracted sharks, prompting discussions on safe removal methods.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the logistical and environmental challenges local governments face when dealing with large marine mammal strandings.
The longer it takes to remove the carcass, the longer the beach will be closed. ( ABC News: Courtney Withers )
Link copied Share Share article It turns out, removing tonnes of organic material from a beach isn't an easy task.
When a dead 13-metre-long whale, weighing an estimated 31 tonnes, washed ashore at City Beach in the early hours of Monday morning , a public holiday no less, the council has no easy fix.
As the sun rose, the carcass decayed, and the waves carried its scent into open waters, luring sharks toward one of Perth's most popular beaches and closing it to swimmers.
Crowds have descended on the beach to look at the carcass. ( ABC News )
Disposing of whale carcasses is a logistical ordeal. It's heavy, stinky, and expensive.
Experts say this is how it should, and shouldn't, be done.
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