Stranded whale to be killed by explosive charge, in harbour
Authorities will this afternoon use an explosive charge to euthanase a 9.5-metre Humpback whale stranded on Western Australia’s south coast.
The whale has been stranded in Albany’s Princess Royal harbour for two weeks.
The sick whale, which has been resting on a sandbar in shallow water, is deemed too large to shoot.
The Department of Environment and Conservation says sandbags will be placed over the whale’s head.
A one kilometre exclusion zone will be placed around the whale while it is put down.
A helicopter will be sent out to scan the harbour for sharks in case of a feeding frenzy.
Blowing up a whale… sound familiar? This was tried in the 1970’s in Oregon:
Perhaps the Aussies will have better luck?