Eastern Sydney beaches close after whale carcass washes up

Key points

• Beaches at Coogee and Maroubra in Sydney's east have been closed to swimmers after a whale carcass was spotted floating against the coastline. The dead whale, suspected to be a young humpback, was seen at Lurline Bay on Thursday morning.
• Randwick Council says the beaches will stay closed until further notice while the whale is removed.
• Whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta says the animal is likely a young adult or teenaged humpback and has advised against swimming in the area.