There's a dead whale on Flimby beach, and the Coastguard says leave it be A young northern bottlenose whale has washed up dead on Flimby beach, and the Coastguard says don't touch it
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
A young bottlenose whale has washed up dead at Flimby. The Coastguard says don't go touching it, as it might carry toxins, and keep back.
This one's for anybody who walks the beach at Flimby, with or without the dog, this week.
Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team got called down to Flimby beach at the weekend after reports of a whale washed up. When they got there it was a young northern bottlenose whale, and it was already dead. BBC Cumbria said it was found on Saturday, and Cumbria Crack had the call-out on Sunday.
The team measured it where it was safe and sent the details to the Coastguard ops room in Belfast. The right people have been told so it can be shifted.
The Coastguard's warning is simple: don't touch it, as it "may have toxins that can pass to humans". They also said to watch yourself on the coast while the storm was still going.
These whales live way out in the deep North Atlantic. Whale and Dolphin Conservation says they can dive more than 1,400 metres and stay under for two hours, so finding one on our coast is a rare thing.
The Coastguard said the same goes for any whale, dolphin or porpoise that ends up on the beach, alive or not: "Gathering round the animal will intensify their distress, and it is possible for disease to be passed to humans."
What you can do: leave it alone and stay back. If you ever come across a stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise, ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard, even if you think it's dead. Don't try and push one back into the sea, however tempting, as you can hurt it and yourself. Just ring it in and wait for help.
Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team was called to Flimby beach over the weekend, where a juvenile northern bottlenose whale was found dead. People are asked not to touch the carcass because it may carry toxins.
This is for anyone who walks on Flimby beach or along that stretch of the coast this week.
Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team was called to Flimby beach over the weekend after reports of a beached whale. The team found a juvenile northern bottlenose whale that had already died. BBC Cumbria reported it was found on Saturday, and Cumbria Crack reported the call-out on Sunday 25 October.
Rescuers took measurements where it was safe to do so and passed them to the Coastguard operations room in Belfast. Other agencies have been told so the carcass can be dealt with.
The Coastguard warned people not to touch the carcass because it "may have toxins that can pass to humans". It also asked people to take care on the coast while the storm was still blowing through.
Northern bottlenose whales normally live in the deep North Atlantic. The charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation says they can dive deeper than 1,400 metres and stay under for up to two hours, so one this close to the Cumbrian shore is unusual.
The Coastguard's advice applies to any stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise, alive or dead. It said: "Gathering round the animal will intensify their distress, and it is possible for disease to be passed to humans."
What you can do: don't touch the whale and keep well back. If you find any stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise, report it to the Coastguard straight away by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, even if you think the animal is dead. Never try to push a stranded animal back into the sea, because that can injure it and put you in danger. Wait for trained help.