The identity of a massive sea creature that washed up on a beach in Wales has been confirmed as a fin whale, the second largest animal on Earth after the blue whale. The carcass, measuring nearly 70ft (21m), was discovered on Cefn Sidan sands in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday morning.
Experts from Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) examined the body and noted its advanced state of decomposition. They believe the whale was female, though the condition made confirmation difficult. Samples have been taken for testing, including contaminants and genetic analysis.
This is only the fourth recorded stranding of a fin whale in Wales this century. Fin whales, also known as 'razorbacks', are a protected species. Conservationists warn that populations are still recovering from decades of large-scale whaling, with nearly 750,000 killed in the Southern Hemisphere between 1904 and 1979.
Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said the whale was found at the western end of Cefn Sidan beach, about four and a half miles from the main access point. Due to its size (estimated 30-40 tonnes) and remote location, no intervention is planned, and the public is advised to avoid contact due to its greasy consistency.
The carcass will be recovered by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) for a full post-mortem. MEM urges anyone who finds stranded marine animals to report them to CSIP on 0800 652 0333.
