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© Ben DillawayRotting sperm whale carcass on Moreton Island.
A rotting sperm whale carcass on Queensland's Moreton Island is attracting large sharks and creating a stink for visitors.

The 11-metre whale washed up on Friday on the island's eastern side, having been dead for about 24 hours.

The cause of death is unknown, however, Moreton Bay is known to be heavily populated with bull sharks and bites can be seen on the mammal.

A ranger said the carcass was too large to move with a tractor and it was hoped it would be washed out to sea on the rising tide. Otherwise, the whale would be left to decompose on the beach.

Tourist Ben Dillaway said the rotting carcass smelled "putrid", adding he wasn't game to step foot in the water after spotting a "huge shark" just off the beach.

Image
© Ben DillawayRotting sperm whale carcass on Moreton Island.
Sperm whales are rarely seen along the Queensland coast, making the mammal's discovery intriguing.

Though the whale's sex is unknown, it is likely to be a female, as females prefer more temperate waters.

Last year a pod of 11 killer whales beached on Fraser Island, with three dying. Like the sperm whale, It is unusual for orcas to travel so far north.