Brits have been urged to stay away from a beach on the Thames Estuary after a rare marine creature washed ashore. Local officials advised the public to avoid the area following the discovery of a Sowerby's beaked whale carcass on Canvey Island in Essex this weekend.
Officials Issue Warning
HM Coastguard Canvey confirmed that a plan to remove the creature, described as a rare sight on the Thames Estuary, was underway. A spokesperson stated: 'The area around the whale has been cordoned off by colleagues from the local authority. We urge members of the public to not attempt to go near to the whale, as deceased marine mammals may carry disease.'
Castle Point Borough Council echoed the message on social media, saying: 'We are aware of a whale sadly deceased on the beach on Canvey Island. The council and specialist agencies are managing the recovery process. Public are advised to stay away from the scene.'
Rare Species Details
Sowerby's beaked whales are typically native to the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea, reaching a maximum length of 5.5 metres and weighing up to 1,300kg, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Rob Deaville, project manager at the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP), told the BBC: 'CSIP are aware of this - it's a Sowerby's beaked whale, which is a deep diving species and relatively unusual stranding for England and Wales, so very much out of habitat in the Thames Estuary.'
Deaville added that normally roughly two Sowerby's beaked whales are recorded per year in their patch, with the last report in the Thames Estuary on the north Kent coast in 2010. He noted that CSIP is working with the Port of London Authority to see if the whale can be recovered and moved to a suitable location for a necropsy.
Rebecca Harris, Conservative MP for Castle Point, also alerted constituents online: 'I was deeply saddened to hear a deceased whale was found washed ashore on Canvey seafront. It is always very sad to hear that such a magnificent creature has died. Please continue to keep a respectful distance while work is carried out.'
