A juvenile humpback whale has died at Eden. Photo: Kolinda Mason Facebook. Facebook.
A sick juvenile humpback whale that was spotted in Eden’s on Sunday (19 February) has been found dead.
A NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said NSW Water Police spotted the whale floating in Twofold Bay south of the Port of Eden, approximately 150 metres offshore from the BIG4 Ingenia Holidays park on Tuesday afternoon.
“The whale has died and sharks are feeding on it,” the spokesperson said.
Although the juvenile whale was swimming freely, it appeared sick and emaciated prior to its death.
Volunteers from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) monitored the animal’s condition at the request of the NPWS and people were requested not to approach it.
It was spotted off Boydtown Beach in on Monday night after leaving the Port of Eden where it was first sighted near the rock break wall.
This whale was a sub-adult with a heavy whale lice load which indicates an unhealthy whale.
It was hoped the whale would remain in the bay to rest and recover.
The juvenile whale spotted near Eden break wall. Photo: Evette Moroney Facebook.
The animal was not the juvenile whale that was heading southbound after being disentangled by NPWS specialist crews off Sydney on 17 January.
A DPI spokesperson said the whale had different markings.
ORRCA says whale appearances so early in the year are rare and has asked the public to report any sightings on (02) 9415 3333.
Boaties must stay 100 m from whales, while those riding a personal watercraft (jet ski) must keep a minimum distance of 300 m away.
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