Beached whale at Sawtell on the Mid North Coast

National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Lawrence Orel said conditions were too dangerous to complete the rescue operation.

The whale was due to be removed from the beach on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities will not attempt to return a humpback whale stranded on Sawtell Beach back to open water today. 

While authorities have the necessary equipment at the ready, including a prawn trawler to provide the grunt for the haulage operation, weather conditions have iced the operation for the day.

National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Lawrence Orel said the rough sea conditions were too dangerous to consider a rescue operation.

The animal will continued to be monitored today, Mr Orel said, after the changes to its breathing were noticed about 9am.

National Parks workers and ORCCA volunteers are maintaining the vigil today. Yesterday  they were helped by Southern Cross University researchers and staff of the Coffs-based Dolphin Marine Magic, who cut short shows to have a presence at the beach.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is working with marine mammal experts and trained volunteers from ORRCA, Dolphin Marine Magic and Sea World to assist a sub adult humpback whale stranded today at Sawtell beach, just south of Coffs Harbour.

NPWS Senior Wildlife Officer Susan Crocetti said the whale is a 7 to 9 metre sub-adult humpback whale weighing around 10 tonnes.

“The humpback whale was in the surf zone making it very difficult for experts to get near the animal, and making it difficult to make a safe assessment,” said Ms Crocetti.

“A specialist vet has joined NPWS staff on site, along with representatives from ORRCA and Dolphin Marine Magic to assess the animal’s health and potential options.

“The animal’s welfare and the safety of our rescuers are always our main priority in an incident like this, and any decision or activity will only be undertaken with the safety of those involved being paramount.

“Deteriorating weather hampered early efforts, but trained volunteers are now providing immediate first aid and monitoring the animal.

“We have a highly experienced team of specialists assisting with this response and they are doing everything possible to give this whale the best chance of survival.

“At this point our intention is to attempt re-floating the animal at the earliest safe high tide during daylight hours, dependent on the animal’s welfare and sea conditions,” she said.

Footage taken by @ange7856 and shared on Instagram:

Over 30,000 humpback whales are currently travelling up the coast of NSW for the annual breeding season.

Ms Crocetti said the increasing whale population, while an excellent indication of the overall recovery of the species from near extinction mid last century, also means we are likely to see more incidents like this where the whales don’t complete the 5000 kilometre journey safely.

“As a sub adult, this will be one of the first times this particular whale has made this migration on its own which may be a factor in the whale stranding itself on the beach at Sawtell this morning,” she said.

Stranded, entangled, or sick whales should be reported immediately to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Environment Line on 131 555 or ORRCA Whale and Dolphin Rescue on (02) 9415 3333 (24 hours hotline).

THERE are fears for the survival of a whale stranded in the surf zone at Sawtell beach on the NSW Mid North Coast. 

According to a representative from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSWNPWS) the whale is currently stuck in the surf zone which not only makes it dangerous for the stranded whale but for those desperately trying to save it.

The humpback is estimated to be around seven to nine metres in length.  NSWNPWS staff are being supported by representatives from ORRCA, Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Australia and staff from Dolphin Marine Magic.

A vet is also on the way to the scene.

“Once the vet has arrived we will work together to make a decision as to what to do next based on the welfare of the animal and the rescuers,” the NSWNPWS explained.

Many locals have also been at the beach for hours trying to help the best they can.