A 65ft fin whale has had to be put down after becoming stranded on a beach in Cornwall


 

An endangered whale has died after it washed up on a beach in Cornwall.

The 65ft fin whale was spotted on Carlyon beach at 16:45 BST yesterday after it became trapped in the outgoing tide.

A crowd of around 300 people gathered on the beach to witness a “very distressing scene”, according to Brixham Coastguard watch manager Paul Myers.

Vets and members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue service examined the whale and discovered the animal was too unwell to save.

Faye Archell, of the BDMLR, told the BBC that the “incredibly undernourished” mammal had a high breathing rate which suggested it was “very sick and distressed”.

“It’s very difficult to do anything with them,” she said. “We’re dealing with the second largest animal on the planet here. It’s very sad.”

British Divers Marine Life Rescue is an organisation dedicated to the rescue and well being of all marine animals in distress around the UK.

If you spot a live stranded marine mammal call the rescue hotline on 01825 765546 during office hrs (07787 433412 out of office hrs).