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A whale that stranded on the southern Gold Coast on Tuesday night has been successfully ‘relaunched’ by Sea World staff this morning.
The marine rescuer workers first tried to rescue the juvenile humpback yesterday, after it beached at Palm Beach late on Tuesday.
But authorities struggled to move it offshore during yesterday’s high tide, and were forced to suspend the operation last night as fading light hampered efforts to return it to sea.
A Sea World spokesman said the animal appeared to be in a “fair condition”, and had been closely monitored overnight.
The Nine Network reported that following the suspension of official rescue attempts on Wednesday, a group of onlookers made their own effort to push the whale back out to sea.
Among the crowd of spectators on Wednesday was Mark Wilkinson from Bendigo in Victoria, who told Fairfax Radio 4BC the efforts of the rescue workers were admirable.
“I think they are great trying to get this magnificent beast off the beach. I think they will be successful,” he said.
“I saw a woman get angry this morning and I think it was uncalled for. They are doing their best.”
Burleigh Heads local Neil Herdegen has been at the beach on and off since the whale became stranded on Tuesday night.
He said it became partially submerged about 15 metres from the shore prior to the failed attempt to attach a harness.
Mr Herdegen said waves had flipped the mammal, enabling it to make its own efforts to return to deeper waters.
“Last night it was totally beached sideways, now it’s going back and forwards a little bit,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the crowd of onlookers were all vocal in their support for the rescuers.
“It’s actually a pretty good atmosphere with all the school kids and it’s good to see this many people concerned,” Mr Herdegen said.
“Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the whale to make the next move.”
Palm Beach resident Kim brought her kids to watch the rescue effort and echoed the concerns of the crowd.
Agencies/Canadajournal
