Dead dolphin washes up on Selsey beach
Coastguards were called to East Beach over the weekend
WARNING: This article contains an image of the dead dolphin
Investigations are underway into how a dolphin which washed up on a Selsey beach died.
Coastguard teams from the town were initially called to West Beach at just after 11am on Saturday (December 19th).
They were initially unable to get to the dolphin as the tide had come in and taken it out to sea.
However, the creature later washed up on rock armour on the same beach at around 3pm the same day.
The team took measurements and details of the dead dolphin to send to our Operations Centre and for the Natural History Museum.
Solent Coastguard has since arranged for the dolphin to be collected for further investigations or to be collected and disposed of by the council.
A Selsey Coastguard spokesperson said:
"Dolphins, porpoises and whales are all protected under the Royal Fish laws of the United Kingdom and HM Coastguard undertakes duties on behalf of the Reciever of Wreck to record details of Royal Fish that have washed ashore.
"Dead mammals can be full of dangerous toxins and other things, so please stay away and keep.your dogs on a lead to prevent them coming in contact with them.
"If you come across a Royal Fish washed up on the beach please call the Coastguard!
“The coast and the sea can catch you out whether you’re local or not. Our message remains: call 999 Coastguard if you’re in trouble. Please help us and our families stay safe. Be aware of the risks, keep your distance.”