The carcass of a humpback whale that washed up on a local beach over the weekend could take years to fully decompose.
The remains of the huge mammal were discovered at Richmond’s Beach, north of Bateman’s Bay, on Sunday, almost a week after it was first spotted floating off the coast near Murramang National Park.
A spokesman for NSW Parks and Wildlife said on Sunday afternoon that the animal was in an advanced state of decomposition, in a spot that was difficult to access by heavy machinery.
The spokesperson said it was likely the whale would left where it is and nature would be allowed to take its course.
But it warned members of the public to stay well away from the rotting carcass, which could pose a health risk to humans.
It is also likely to attract predators in search of an easy meal.
Dead whales have also been known to explode due to a build-up of gases inside the body.
Removing dead whales from beaches is a costly exercise, with the creatures weighing as much as 45 tonnes and measuring up to 20 metres in length.
Leaving them in the sea can provide nourishment for other ocean creatures for up to a decade.
