'ANINI, Kaua'i — A county crew yesterday afternoon buried the remains of a whale at 'Anini Beach.

Sharks and other sea creatures had been seen pursuing the carcass between Kalihiwai and 'Anini beaches, Kaua'i County reported in a news release.

Fire officials said a white object thought to be a capsized kayak or canoe was first spotted at Kalihiwai Beach Monday evening and reported to the Hanalei fire station. Firefighters from the Hanalei station determined it was a whale carcass.

In the morning, a new fire crew discovered that the carcass had drifted offshore at 'Anini Beach to a point known to surfers as "Wires." The carcass was estimated to be 6 feet by 6 feet.

The Department of Public Works was contacted and a crew from the Hanalei base yard went to the area with a backhoe and buried the carcass 25 to 30 feet above the high water mark.