TWO officers from the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) saw a rare sight at Williamstown on Monday – a pygmy sperm whale.
Despite being known for their shyness, curiosity got the better of this one, which found itself beached near Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.
Along with members of Parks Victoria, the Zoos Victoria Marine Response Unit and Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP), VFA officers attempted to free the whale.
Sadly, despite their best efforts, the whale was too weak and had to be euthanised.
Dwarf sperm whales tend to prefer warmer, deeper waters, and are rarely seen at sea. They are the smallest species of whale, growing up to 2.7 m in length and weighing up to 250 kg.
The VFA is urging anglers to keep an eye out for whales, which are starting to appear now as they migrate from Antarctica up to Australia’s warmer waters.
If you spot a stranded or injured whale, call DELWP’s whale and dolphin emergency hotline on 1300 136 017.
