Two white sharks, one about 5 meters (16 feet) long and another about 4 meters (13 feet), were seen just 10 meters (about 33 feet) offshore at Perth's City Beach after a whale carcass washed up at the popular swimming spot, according to SharkSmart sightings reported by ABC News. A 3.5-meter shark of unknown species was reported by the Surf Life Saving helicopter, and a 2.5-meter shark of unknown species was seen circling 10 meters offshore.

The carcass, identified as a 13-meter (about 43-foot) humpback whale weighing an estimated 31 tonnes, washed ashore early Monday, Sept. 28, local time. City Beach and neighboring Floreat Beach have been closed since, and officials have urged people not to swim or take dogs into the area.

Removal has proved harder than expected. A day-long effort on Wednesday, Sept. 30, failed because a crane large enough to lift the carcass was not available, and the carcass was left on the sand overnight, ABC News reported. Workers wrapped the carcass and dragged it about 1.5 kilometers to the City Beach surf club, where it remained bundled in tarpaulins, with a crane expected to arrive Thursday morning, Perth time. This report reflects information available as of Wednesday evening, Perth time.

Blubber and Blood Draw Predators

A decomposing whale can create a scent trail that sharks follow toward shore. The state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development warned early on that the carcass could keep pulling sharks close in. "It is possible the carcass will continue to act as an attractant," the department said.

The timing fits a seasonal pattern. University of Western Australia marine biologist Kate Sprogis told ABC News that September and October are typically a migration period for humpback whales, and that the whale's death was not unusual for that time of year, according to an ABC explainer on removing whale carcasses.

Town of Cambridge Mayor Gary Mack said the risk will not disappear the moment the carcass is lifted. He noted that oils from the whale will remain in the water even after it is taken away, and said the beaches will not reopen until every part of the carcass is removed.

A Shark-Tagging Opportunity

Authorities are using the situation to gather data. Western Australia Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said drum lines were placed in the water to catch and tag sharks drawn to the area, according to ABC News coverage of the drum-line shark tagging effort. "We'll tag as many sharks as we can," she said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, a 3.7-meter shark was tagged and released off Floreat Beach, the 231st shark tagged since the state's program began in 2009, the department said. Tagging helps authorities track where sharks move and how long they stay near the coast.

The situation is especially sensitive in Perth. The carcass washed up about 10 days after a fatal shark attack at Sorrento Beach, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) to the north, where swimmer Greg O'Neill was killed. Jarvis issued a catch-and-kill order for that shark, but it was not found.

Crowds, Costs, and Closures

The dead whale has drawn hundreds of onlookers during school holidays, and Mack said it had "gone viral." Town staff warned that anyone entering the closed beach or flying a drone above workers could be fined 250 Australian dollars. Mack criticized a person seen on social media jumping on the carcass. "It's a deceased whale down there. It's not a toy," he said.

Removal is expected to cost ratepayers between 60,000 and 100,000 Australian dollars. The town plans to lift the carcass and truck it to landfill for burial. In 2014, a whale carcass at Scarborough Beach cost 188,000 Australian dollars to remove, and the state government paid half of the Scarborough cleanup bill. Asked why the whale was not towed out to sea, Jarvis said her understanding was that dragging it out in rough conditions could break it apart and wash pieces back to shore, causing more shark activity.

Officials say City Beach is expected to remain closed for some time after removal to make sure no whale remnants are left. No reopening date had been announced as of Wednesday evening, Perth time.

Staying Safe Near a Carcass Beach

For anyone at a beach where a whale carcass has washed up, the guidance from Western Australian authorities applies widely: stay out of the water, keep dogs away from the shoreline, obey closure signs, and do not touch or climb on the carcass. Sharks can remain nearby after a carcass is removed, so check official shark alerts before swimming, and leave the water if a shark is sighted.

Developing Story Timeline

Sept. 30, 2026, evening, Perth time: ABC News reports the first removal effort failed and the carcass will remain overnight, with a crane expected Thursday morning.

Sept. 29, 2026, Perth time: A 3.7-meter shark is tagged off Floreat Beach, and drum lines are set to tag sharks drawn to the carcass.

Sept. 28, 2026, early morning, Perth time: The whale carcass washes ashore at City Beach, and white sharks are seen within 10 meters of shore.

What Readers Want to Know

What happened at City Beach in Perth?

A 13-meter humpback whale carcass washed ashore on Monday, Sept. 28, local time, attracting several sharks close to shore and prompting beach closures.

How close did the sharks come?

According to SharkSmart sightings reported by ABC News, two white sharks about 5 and 4 meters long were seen 10 meters offshore.

Is City Beach open?

No. City Beach and Floreat Beach remained closed as of Wednesday evening, Perth time, and officials said they will stay closed until all whale remains are removed.

Why did removal take so long?

A day-long attempt on Wednesday failed because a large enough crane was not available. A crane was expected Thursday morning, Perth time.

Why not tow the whale out to sea?

The fisheries minister said towing it in rough conditions could break it apart and send pieces back to shore, drawing more sharks.

What should beachgoers do?

Obey closures, stay out of the water, keep dogs away, avoid the carcass, and check official shark alerts before swimming.