Wildlife officers say a whale which was found washed up at Mallacoota, in Victoria's east on Saturday is not the famous albino humpback Migaloo.
The whale carcass was discovered on Saturday morning at a beach at Mallacoota which is only accessible by water.
Officers from Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning [DELWP] said analysis of images of the carcass show that the whale is not Migaloo.
"DELWP Officers have examined images of the dead Humpback Whale at Mallacoota and have confirmed it is a sub-adult female. Migaloo is a male," DELWP Regional Agency Commander Peter Brick said.
"DELWP and Parks Victoria staff will be further assessing the carcass over coming days."
DELWP said it was an offence for people or their dogs to be within 300 metres of a beached whale, and the animals were protected under the Wildlife Act whether they were alive or dead.
Rather than try to remove the whale from the remote location, DEWLP's Principal Officer for Wildlife Emergencies, Rodney Vile, said it will be left on the beach.
"Currently we're planning to leave it in place, and let it decompose naturally," he said.
"That's our preferred approach but it really depends with deceased whales like this, the location of it and leaving it to decompose naturally versus human safety about where it's actually located.
"There are warnings out for people to avoid going near the whale or touching the whale… and also warnings around the potential for sharks to be in the area as well."
Mr Vile said DELWP will provide ongoing updates to the Mallacoota community.
Scientists will still conduct genetic testing on the whale.
Macquarie University wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta said photos of the animal did not confirm that it was an albino whale.
"It seems to be most likely a white whale, or at least a whale that has been a darker pigmentation that has passed out at sea and washed ashore and been weathered over time," Dr Pirotta said.
Dr Pirotta said barnacles on the throat of the whale carcass appeared to be covering skin which was not white, casting doubt on it being a true albino whale.
"Over time, these animals can pass [away] and their bodies weather, there's sun exposure and their skin can come off," she said.
Whale carcass still valuable for scientists
Dr Pirotta said the whale carcass would still be highly prized by marine scientists.
"A stranded whale like this is a huge contribution to science … because often we don't have a whale wash up in an area that can be accessible to science," she said.
"Measurements and samples, genetics will be taken from this individual by the appropriate authorities."
Dr Pirotta warned people not to approach the animal as it could be carrying diseases, and could attract predators such as sharks to the area.
Rodney Vile said DELWP is working with the Victorian Fisheries Authority about how long shark warnings will need to be in place.
He said the time it takes whales to decompose depends on the size and species, as well as wave action and temperature.
