Whales in the Whitsundays

The arrival of whales in the Whitsundays at this time of year is a big drawcard for tourists as well as locals who never tire of watching them as they move about our waters. Their presence is not a new phenomenon nor is the delight of observing these magnificent creatures.
The “Proserpine Guardian” of Saturday 30 July 1938 published the following story “AQUATIC DOINGS AT HAYMAN ISLAND”.
“Two immense whales decided to inspect the “June” as she lay at anchor off Bait Reef, coming within some thirty feet of the boat before sounding. Some good photographs were secured of the sea “beasts’’. Whales are swimming about everywhere now. Mr. G. Stephenson, managed to hook one when trolling, accidentally of course, but it provided a lot of amusement to lookers-on before his line came free.”
A report on Friday 24 August 1945 in the CANNON VALLEY NOTES stated – “Whales have abounded in Whitsunday Passage during the past two weeks. Quite a number, of calves were noticed among the several schools observed by our correspondent. Tourist traffic, due no doubt to school holidays, has been very heavy recently. 
And in the “Guardian” Friday 12 May 1950 the headline read “PILOT WHALES”.
“A large school of Pilot whales, or better known as Black Fish whales, passed through Hook Passage off the coast of Proserpine last Sunday. Mr. M. E. MacDougall told the "Guardian" yesterday that the whales were in groups of three and four about 100 yards apart as far as one could see in all directions. The whales seen in Hook Passage were about 15 feet long, and they were travelling south. This is the species of whale which sometimes commits suicide. If the leader goes ashore all the others do likewise. Such incidents have occurred in New Zealand and more recently in Victoria, where 60 whales were stranded on a beach.”
WHALES DIE ON BEACH (“Proserpine Guardian” July 30 1976)

The stranding of whales on beaches is not uncommon. In 1976, early risers on the morning of July 24 were excited to observe a large school of whales tossing around in the water just off the beach. Eventually two of them were separated from the school and became stranded on the sand at high tide. The theory is that a sick whale was driven from the group and followed toward the shore by its mate.

The sick whale died very quickly but the active one lived several hours, during which time “Kingy” Hurst from Wilson’s Beach and others made several attempts to encourage and to drag it out to sea. At one stage, they succeeded in pushing the whale into the receding water but “it immediately turned and dashed back onto the beach. The beautiful creature was struggling, becoming more and more distressed and its wellbeing was deteriorating. Eventually, it became so sick that it was decided to put it out of its misery with a rifle.”

The whales, both six metres long, were identified as false killer whales. They were buried above the highwater mark but not before James Cook University representatives had procured some body parts for research.

Recent history of these mammals beaching has shown that rescued whales will continue to repeatedly beach themselves.

Today, regulations have been introduced stipulating the proximity of boats to these creatures – for the protection of not only these magnificent mammals who visit our waters to give birth but also the people witnessing the spectacle they present.    

Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and photo courtesy Mrs May Davy.

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