Six sperm whales are dead after beaching themselves on Parara Beach on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.

South Australian Whale Centre co-ordinator Leah Pippos said they received reports about the beaching on Monday.

The whales were said to be about 10 metres in length.

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The bodies will probably be on the beach for a couple of days, a spokeswoman for the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources said.

The department is consulting with the local council and police about what to do with the carcasses, which may involve having them towed away.

SA Museum staff will first take samples from the whales, which may indicate why they beached.

The public should stay clear of the bodies because they will probably attract sharks, the Environment Department spokeswoman said.

“Don’t wade in the water or swim nearby,” she told AAP.