A juvenile minke whale found dead on Dump Beach near Victor Harbor in South Australia has tested negative for H5 bird flu, although its cause of death remains unknown.
Beachgoer Malakye Muirhead discovered the carcass early on Thursday and alerted Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA). Rangers from the Department for Environment and Water attended the scene and moved onlookers away while testing was arranged.
The precautionary investigation came amid recent bird flu infections in South Australian wildlife, including a long-nosed fur seal, dolphin and fox. The whale’s carcass has since been removed for a necropsy and further laboratory tests, including screening for algal toxins.
PIRSA said rangers had found no visible injuries on the animal. The negative H5 result rules out bird flu as the cause of death, but testing is continuing.
Ian Milne, from the Fleurieu Marine Education Centre, said the whale appeared to be about 3.5 metres long and could have weighed roughly 180 kilograms. He said dead whales were an uncommon sight in the area.
“I’ve lived in the area for 50 years, and dead whales are uncommon,” Mr Milne said.
He suggested rough weather may have separated the juvenile from its pod or mother, leaving it unable to survive, but stressed that this was only one possible explanation.
“It’s a juvenile, and we’ve had some rough weather, so it may have got separated from its pod or mother and perished through lack of contact,” he said.
