Stricken Whale Dies on UK Beach

Faline · #1 ● 03-03-2011, 05:43 PM

A giant 45ft-long whale has died after becoming beached on the south coast, a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

Coastguards were informed that the animal was stranded on the beach at Pegwell Bay between Ramsgate and Sandwich, in Kent, at 7.30am today.

The MCA spokesman said: "As the tide was on the flood, the advice was to leave it to see what happened when the water flooded around it.

"It now appears to be completely expired."

He said coastguards remained at the scene and it was attracting great interest from members of the public.

He added: "Our advice is to stay away as much as possible. It could be dangerous due to bacteria and it will probably get quite smelly."

The removal of the animal, which is believed to be a sperm whale, will be organised by Thanet District Council.

A council spokeswoman said it was seeking advice from the Institute of Zoology to determine how best to move it but they were currently being hampered by the high tide.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said an officer was on the scene and authorities were also liaising with experts at London's Natural History Museum.

Viking64 · #2 ● 03-03-2011, 05:49 PM

A sad end to a magnificient animal.

Jere · #3 ● 03-03-2011, 06:08 PM

slice off a chunk and start chowing down

Steve · #4 ● 03-03-2011, 06:59 PM

Poor thing I hate seeing animals die so horribly, I am puzzled as to why it seems to be bleeding though?.

Faline · #5 ● 03-04-2011, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Steve. ↗

Poor thing I hate seeing animals die so horribly, I am puzzled as to why it seems to be bleeding though?.

Wonder if it was injured some how

Steve · #6 ● 03-04-2011, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Kelly ↗

Wonder if it was injured some how

Yes, maybe hit by a ship, still really sad Kel.

candymosh · #7 ● 03-04-2011, 12:08 PM

We had a whale wash on shore last week in Galveston. Sperm whale, I believe. They say it had some sort of bacterial infection and that's why it washed ashore. I wonder what what wrong with this whale to make it come ashore as well.

AmericanIllusions · #8 ● 03-05-2011, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Steve. ↗

Poor thing I hate seeing animals die so horribly, I am puzzled as to why it seems to be bleeding though?.

It's busting open from it's own weight. Sometimes whales beach themselves after getting sick as someone said. Whales often are in groups so I guess its a defense mech or instinct to insure no one else gets the illness.

That thing prob smells rank after a half a day

Steve · #9 ● 03-05-2011, 04:02 AM

Like a kippers behind a radiator type smell *holds nose*.

Frank_Furter · #10 ● 03-05-2011, 09:51 PM

Let's blow it up!!!

Stricken Whale Dies on UK Beach

Documenting Reality