Blobs of fat and the smell of rotting garbage: at an idyllic Sydney beach, a 25-tonne sperm whale slowly disintegrates

"Thin strips of flesh hang down like rotten tinsel, swaying in the wind. Glistening fluid trickles on to the stone where insects buzz. On the windward side, the odour is masked by the salty air. But step downwind, and you enter a sickly, sour-sweet blend of garbage and rotting fish."

"Since its discovery on Saturday morning, the rotting whale has lured sharks to the coastline, forcing the closure of several beaches in Sydney's Royal national park. Surf Life Saving NSW reported a shark sighting at Era beach at 9.28am on Saturday."

"A safety alert issued by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) warned of an elevated shark risk. The site can only be reached from the water or by a 45-minute trek from the closest car park."

A 25-tonne sperm whale carcass has washed ashore at Era beach, emitting a foul odor and attracting sharks, prompting the closure of several nearby beaches. The whale's decomposing body, missing its lower half, presents a stark sight against the rocky landscape. Since its discovery, the presence of sharks has been confirmed, leading to safety alerts from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. Beaches including Garie, North Era, South Era, Wattamolla, and Burning Palms remain closed to swimmers due to the elevated shark risk.

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