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Beached whale on NSW Mid North Coast euthanised

Published: June 10 2017 - 9:48PM

A juvenile humpback whale that has been beached on the NSW Mid North Coast for more than a day has been euthanised after its condition worsened.

"It's been a very, very difficult afternoon for everybody involved," marine rescue organisation Orcca vice-president Shona Lorigan said from Sawtell Beach, south of Coffs Harbour, on Saturday.

Tough decision to euthanize #sawtellwhale has been made by rescue team.Sea conditions hampered rescue attempts @ABCCoffsCoast @ORRCA_Inc

Ms Lorigan confirmed the young whale, weighing about 10 tonnes, was put down about 1pm.

It was first spotted by beachgoers early on Friday but rough sea conditions hindered rescue attempts.

"Mother nature's not helped us today, the waves are getting bigger as I watch," Ms Lorigan said.

"We had no hope of getting boats in until at least Monday."

Long day ahead @ORRCA_Inc + Marine Magic + NPWS + vet onsite @ sub-adult #sawtellwhale. Low tide now. Assessing options for high tide. pic.twitter.com/2DnpRhXpbr

She said experts had been monitoring the whale overnight and saw its health deteriorating.

"We really had to think of the welfare of the whale and we didn't want it to suffer any longer," she said.

The yearling whale was probably making its first migration from Antarctica to Queensland after being weaned, she said.

"It's quite a long and arduous journey," she said.

"If an animal is in poor health, or if it's weaker, then the time it will get into trouble is when it's making that huge journey."

Long wait for safe conditions to assist stranded humpback #sawtellwhale. Latest info: https://t.co/cPMN2EPO4R pic.twitter.com/XHXByiOw08

Arrangements are being made for the whale to be taken off the beach and buried.

AAP  

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/whale-watch/beached-whale-on-nsw-mid-north-coast-euthanised-20170610-gwosaz.html