Wildlife experts appeal to trace remains of missing whale
The body of the fin whale was washed up on a Cornish beach on Thursday
Marine experts are searching for the remains of a whale which washed up on a Cornish beach earlier this week.
A member of the public reported what was believed to be a live whale ashore near Perranuthnoe Beach to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on Thursday.
A small team of volunteer Marine Mammal Medics attended the scene, but on arrival the whale - later identified as a female fin whale - was confirmed as dead.
A volunteer from Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network – Cornwall’s licensed recorder of all dead marine wildlife - also attended, and it was hoped a post-mortem examination could take place on Friday by the Cornwall Marine Pathology Team.
But, when volunteers returned to look for the whale it was nowhere to be seen.
Dan Jarvis, director at British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: “The whale was not very easy to spot, being some distance along the coast on a headland and mostly still submerged. Only its head was really noticeable having been forced up on to the rocks by the rough sea, while the rest of its body was very much in motion with the tide and waves.
“Unfortunately when we arrived it became apparent the 12-15-metre-long animal was already deceased. It was far too dangerous to get close, so our team stayed back a safe distance to assess it visually, collect photos and feed back information to our colleagues at Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Falmouth Coastguard."
Abby Crosby, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “To see the body of this majestic mammal onshore is extremely upsetting and sad. But, if the animal is found again, it provides a fantastic opportunity for us to examine the individual and collect scientifically robust evidence that will help us conserve our marine megafauna for the future.”
“If you come across the whale, or indeed any dead marine animal on our coastline, please ring our hotline straight away.”
The wildlife charities are now asking anyone who might find the missing whale to report it immediately - you can call the Trust’s 24-hour strandings hotline on 0345 2012626.
All live stranded animals in need of rescue can be reported to BDMLR’s rescue hotline on 01825 765526.