A juvenile whale carcass that washed ashore just south of Cottesloe Beach has now been removed and taken to a landfill site, but some Perth beaches remain closed as a precaution amidst the threat of sharks.
The whale was discovered at Dutch Inn Beach about 6.15am on Thursday, with Town of Cottesloe rangers and a contractor removing the carcass with a single scoop excavator at 12.15pm as dozens of locals watched on.
A Town of Cottesloe truck took the carcass to the Red Hill Waste Management Facility.
It marks the second time in three weeks whale remains have ended up on Perth’s coastline, after a 31-tonne humpback whale drew thousands of onlookers and huge great white sharks to South City Beach last month.
The City Beach whale was also disposed of at Red Hill.
That carcass took several days and about $180,000 to remove, with the operation attracting scrutiny over the cost to Town of Cambridge ratepayers, prompting calls from council for State assistance in covering the costs.
The Cottesloe whale discovery prompted beach closures on Thursday morning, with authorities warning of potential shark activity around the carcass.
Surf Live Saving WA confirmed that lifeguards closed Cottesloe Beach about 7.30am on Thursday, with a shark alert also being issued due to the presence of the carcass.
The Town of Cottesloe confirmed the beach closures on its Facebook page on Thursday morning.
“All Cottesloe Beaches are CLOSED due to shark sightings and the presence of a beached dead whale near Dutch Inn,” the page read.
“Rangers have immediately closed beaches from BEN sign CT1 to BEN sign CT54.
“Please stay out of the water.
“This closure INCLUDES Cottesloe main beach with the shark barrier.”
SharkSmart issued an alert urging the public to exercise extra caution in the area.
“It is possible the carcass will act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming in close to shore along this stretch of coast,” the alert read.
Shark activity can be monitored on the SharkSmart website and any shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.