Cottesloe beaches shut as second dead whale washes ashore

Key points

• A dead whale has washed up on South Cottesloe beach in Perth, the second in recent weeks. The partly decomposed carcass, about three metres long, was found early on Thursday.
• Cottesloe Mayor Melissa Harkins said all local beaches are closed, including the main beach, which has a shark barrier. She urged people to stay out of the water until the carcass is removed and for some time after.
• Council staff plan to move the carcass to Red Hill Waste Management Facility for burial.