Young girl spots humpback whale stranded on Queensland beach

In the early hours of August 9, a 9‑year‑old girl and her mother found a humpback whale stranded on the sandy shore of Wathumba Creek on the Great Barrier Reef island of K'gari, Queensland.

Marine services responded promptly. By the afternoon of Sunday, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation confirmed that the whale successfully self‑released and was no longer stranded.

The department reminds the public that it is unsafe to touch, interfere with or approach stranded marine animals. Anyone who encounters a stranding should report the location immediately to authorities.