Whale carcass is dragged away over fears the smell of its blood would attract sharks off Cape Town

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The beach in Cape Town that should have been packed with Christmas holidaymakers was instead shut as the giant carcass of a beached humpback whale was recovered as officials feared its blood may attract sharks.

The whale carcass washed ashore overnight. As a precaution, the entire Strand beach was closed for bathing as the carcass was emitting fluids that could attract sharks.

It is not yet clear how the whale died, when its body washed ashore late on Tuesday evening, although a gash on its side has led to speculation that it may have been struck by a boat.