Brits warned to stay away after huge 30ft whale appears on UK beach
Brits have been told to stay away from a shoreline after a huge whale was discovered dead on the beach, as experts debate how best to move it.
The massive 30-foot creature, believed to be a Minke Whale, was found in St Mary’s Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent, by people who spotted it floating on the shoreline. The massive mammal is currently in deep mud and residents nearby have been told to stay away from it.
Although it was identified as a Minke, the National History Museum believes it to be a Humpback Whale.
Investigations are under way as to how best to move the giant carcass.
People have been asked to stay away, although some could not resist a look (Alamy Live News.)Witness Paul Crawford told KentOnline : “I felt humbled to see it.
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“But I also felt a bit of sadness. They’re such beautiful and amazing animals.”
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said of the incident : “The Romney Marsh Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to an object floating on the water edge at St Marys Bay.
“Once the object had been located it was confirmed to be a deceased whale.
“Further investigations were carried out to record statistics of the animal for future analysis. “The whale was also determined to be a Minke Whale.
Experts are debating how best to move the whale carcass (Alamy Live News.)“Possible further investigations will take place to determine how best to remove the animal from the beach.
“In the meantime, it is strongly advised NOT to venture out to the animal due to the deep mud (otherwise known as quicksand) between the animal and the shoreline.”
Last weekend a pod of 55 pilot whales died after a tragic mass stranding on a Western Isles beach, despite a huge effort to save them.
Fifteen of the mammals were alive when they purposefully washed onto Traigh Mhor beach at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis at about 7am today. Marine charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attempted to refloat one of the more active whales but it was then restranded itself on the beach.
The decision was taken to euthanise the remaining whales on welfare grounds.
Western Isles Council has asked people to avoid the area as a clean-up operation began in the area.
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Pilot whales are known for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow.
A statement said: "At about 15:30, the local vet along with the Coastguard, and Rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals.”
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