On Saturday, a juvenile humpback whale was spotted swimming 11 km upstream in the Clarence River near Bundjalung National Park. It grounded on a sandbar, was reported sick, and died within 30 minutes. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service towed the animal out to sea on Sunday.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta explained that whales sometimes enter rivers for exploration or because of illness. The whale appeared extremely unwell, suggesting a chronic illness, injury, or other health issue. She noted that most east and west coast humpbacks are migrating south for Antarctic feeding, so the river entry was not typical.
Similar incidents have occurred in the region. In April, a whale stranded on a sandbar in Wallis Lake after swimming under the Forster Tuncurry Bridge. Last year, two humpbacks swam under Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge into the Yarra River. In 2020, three humpbacks entered the East Alligator River, one traveling 30 km upstream, and all eventually returned to sea.
SharkSmart NSW warned beachgoers to avoid surfing, swimming or diving near the river and surrounding beaches due to increased shark activity. Orrca urged people to alert authorities if they see a whale in an unusual location or in distress, and to stay away from carcasses that can attract sharks.
