FRIDAY MORNING
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A rare young whale has been put down after washing up on Mystics Beach on Thursday.
The 3.75m beaked whale became stranded on Thursday afternoon and despite lengthy rescue efforts, was euthanised after a vet determined it would be too weak to survive at sea.
Ronny Ling from marine mammal rescue organisation ORRCA says authorities will conduct an autopsy on the deep-sea whale and have concerns the type of whale had come so close to shore.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
A baby whale found washed ashore at Mystics Beach has been transported to freedom under police escort.
The whale was awaiting a veterinary check at Shellharbour Boat Ramp as at 7pm Thursday.
“If it gets the all clear, [National Parks and Wildlife) will either swim it out, or police will [guide it out] in their boat,” said the park’s Luke Daniels.
Two surfers had found the creature beached near the mouth of the Minnamurra River, west of Rangoon Island, about seven hours earlier.
Initial reports indicated it to be a rare juvenile Amoux’s beaked whale.
Volunteers remained at the whale’s side, withstanding harsh weather conditions, as National Parks and Wildlife personnel hatched a rescue plan.
It took fifteen people to haul the whale into waist-deep water about 4.30pm.
But in rough seas, the creature did not make it to open waters.
It was later loaded onto a vehicle and driven to the boat ramp for release.
``There is a bank that runs right in the front (of the beach) so the water movement would consistently push it back,’’ Killalea State Park manager Nathan Cattell said at the scene.
-with AAP