A young northern bottlenose whale was found dead on Flimby beach in Cumbria, leading the Coastguard to urge the public to stay away and report any stranded animals.
Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team attended the scene and confirmed the animal had already died. Northern bottlenose whales typically inhabit deep waters of the North Atlantic, where they can dive beyond 1,400 metres and stay submerged for up to two hours, feeding mainly on deep-water squid.
Public warned of health risks
Following the discovery, the Coastguard advised people to avoid the carcass, noting it "may have toxins that can pass to humans." The team also cautioned beachgoers to take care near the water while Storm Boelo was "still going strong."
Rescuers took measurements once it was safe to approach the whale and relayed the details to their operations room in Belfast. The Coastguard asked anyone spotting a stranded whale or porpoise to leave it alone and report it promptly, even if unsure whether it is alive.
Advice on stranded animals
The Coastguard added: "Gathering round the animal will intensify their distress, and it is possible for disease to be passed to humans." British Divers Marine Life Rescue also warned against pushing a live whale back into the water, as the animal may be ill or too weak to swim away and could need treatment first.
Government guidance highlights that approaching a stranded animal can expose people to injury or disease. The warning came as Cumbria faced dangerous conditions from Storm Boelo, which followed Storm Austen.
Storm conditions and warnings
An amber wind warning was issued for parts of Cumbria as the storm swept across the county. Areas around Carlisle and Whitehaven were among those covered, with gusts of 60 to 70mph forecast across the warning area and up to 80mph possible in exposed coastal spots.
The Met Office warned that the winds could bring down trees, damage buildings and disrupt travel. Flood warnings were also issued along stretches of the Cumbrian coast overnight, including the area around Flimby, Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven, but they were removed on Sunday morning.
