WAtoday Advertisement “Unusual” sample results have forced several popular Perth beaches to remain closed after a whale carcass washed ashore at City Beach last week. The whale was finally taken to Red Hill tip on Thursday, having washed ashore days earlier, drawing hungry sharks and curious onlookers to the busy metropolitan beach.
Ah, the beach! Sun, sand, surf, and… a whale carcass? That’s not exactly the kind of beach day anyone dreams of. Recently, several beaches in Perth, including the ever-popular City Beach, have been closed due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. Why, you ask? Well, it all started with a rather unfortunate whale that decided to take a permanent vacation on the shores of City Beach.
Last week, a whale carcass washed ashore, and as if it were the main attraction at a seaside carnival, it drew in both sharks and curious onlookers. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see a whale carcass up close? It’s not like you can find that at your local zoo! But as the saying goes, what goes up must come down—and in this case, it was the whale being removed to the Red Hill tip, where it could rest in peace without attracting any more uninvited guests.
But here’s where it gets a bit more complicated: after the whale was removed, the beaches didn’t just open up again with a cheerful ‘welcome back!’ sign. Instead, the water tested positive for elevated E. coli levels. Apparently, the whale’s departure didn’t quite clean up the mess left behind. So now, beaches in the Town of Cambridge—yes, that includes City Beach, City Beach North, and Floreat Beach—are closed for an additional 24 hours while authorities figure out what to do next.
Now, I can hear you saying, “But what about my beach day?” Well, my friend, it seems you’ll have to wait a little longer to dip your toes in the water. Unless, of course, you enjoy swimming in water that may or may not be home to microscopic organisms that are less than friendly. I mean, who needs a tropical vacation when you can have a lovely day at the beach that’s closed due to bacteria levels?
It’s almost like nature is giving us a gentle reminder that while we humans might think we own the beach, sometimes it has other plans. So, while you’re waiting for the beaches to reopen, perhaps consider a different kind of beach day—like a picnic on the sand? Just be sure to keep your food away from any suspicious-looking seagulls.
In conclusion, let’s all take a moment of silence for the whale who became an unwitting catalyst for our beach closures. And remember, if you’re ever feeling down about not being able to swim, just think about the E. coli levels. At least you’re not missing out on a perfect day at the beach; you’re just avoiding a potential trip to the hospital. Cheers to that!
Inspired by: “‘High bacteria levels’ keep Perth beaches shut after whale carcass moved” (r/News)