Dead humpback causes whale of a clean up on South African beach

A huge dead humpback whale has washed up on a popular beach in the South African city of Cape Town, forcing swimmers to pinch their noses due to the stench.

Three bulldozers had to be called to remove the 14m mammal's carcass, which washed up on Strand beach and became lodged on a reef yesterday morning.

Strand beach had to be closed to deal with the mammoth task of moving the whale as it was feared the large amount of blood and fluid emitted by the whale would attract sharks.

A large crowd gathered to watch the clean up, with the stench so overpowering some had to cover their faces, News 24 reports.

Cape Town environmental director Gregg Oelofse said the appearance of a dead whale this time of year is "nothing unusual".

The whale's remains will be disposed of a landfill site, he said.