$480k warning to tourists considering illegal act on holiday island
Visitors to K'gari have been reminded it's illegal to remove whale bones from the island after a man strapped a massive bone to his 4WD.
Visitors to one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations are being warned not to steal the bones of a whale calf photographed decomposing on the beach. The maximum penalty for the illegal act in Queensland is $483,900 or two years in prison.
The warning to people on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) comes after a tourist tried to remove a massive whale bone earlier in July.
In that case, the bone was so big, that the man who pinched it had to strap it to the roof of his 4WD. It’s understood he got on the barge to leave the island when he was told it was unlawful and then surrendered it to rangers as he exited at Inskip, on the mainland.
While whale bones are sought after mementoes, they are important to the island both culturally and ecologically.
“Residents and visitors to the island are reminded that whale carcasses become part of K’gari’s natural resources and must not be disturbed,” Queensland’s Department of Environment (DESI) said.
Photos reveal clue as to why fifth whale died on K'gari
Pictures of the most recent whale carcass were shared by rangers on Wednesday. It was the fifth humpback calf to strand during this migration season.
It was discovered by rangers two days earlier, and quickly euthanised due to veterinary advice.
Markings on the body give a clue as to what likely forced the animal onto the beach. Large bloody lacerations down its abdomen are believed to have been inflicted by sharks.
Related: Photos expose major problem caused by common fishing mistake on K'gari
Visitors to the island have been reminded to stay away from the whale as they can carry zoonotic diseases.
Thieves use chainsaw to steal whale bone
Globally, some whale bones can fetch huge sums on the black market, but most people simply take them home, thinking they’ll make a good souvenir.
New Zealand has also had a regular issue with whale bone theft. In May, the Department of Conservation warned thieves faced $250,000 in fines after a chainsaw was used to remove the jaw of a 15-metre-long jaw bone from a beached sperm whale on the South Island.
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It followed the theft in 2015 of bones from another sperm whale washed ashore. Maori elders reported the incidents had left them “extremely upset” as the bones are important cultural tools.
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