Rare beaked whale beached at Killcare

A rare beaked whale, normally found well offshore, was sighted at Killcare Beach at about noon on Thursday, November 14.

The whale was spotted earlier in the day in distress at the northern end of the beach and eventually beached itself in the middle of the beach.

Locals tried to push the badly scratched whale out to sea, but they decided against it after sharks were spotted.

People from ORRCA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and a vet attended the scene to render assistance to the whale during the afternoon.

The animal died later in the day while being cared for.

Its body was loaded onto a truck and will be taken to Taronga Zoo for further examination.