How to Dispose of a Whale Carcass

Every year, hundreds of whale carcasses wash up on shores around the world. This poses a problem for officials: exactly how to dispose of the carcass. Several methods have been tried, some successful, others not. There seems to be no set manner in which to dispose of whale carcasses. If you're faced with this task, here are some successful methods.

Instructions

• 1

  Leave the carcass where it is if it's close to the water for a day or two to see if the tide carries it out to sea. If it doesn't appear this is likely, move on to other means of disposal before the carcass rots and smells.

• 2

  Tow the whale carcass out to sea and release it into the water. Travel far enough from the shore to prevent the carcass from washing up again.

• 3

  Bury the carcass on the shore, if possible. If local ordnances allow and you can bring machinery onto the site, consider burying the carcass where it is.

• 4

  Break the carcass up and transport it to an abbatoir, if possible, to incinerate it. If no abbatoir is available, dispose of the carcass in a landfill.

• 5

  Let the carcass decompose on its own, if it's located far enough away from homes and recreational beaches. It can get costly to dispose of a whale carcass--this option might be best if the carcass poses no health hazards to humans.