Dead whale washed up on beach at Flimby
Coastguard team warns people not to touch the carcass
A dead whale has been found beached at Flimby, with coastguard volunteers warning people not to touch the carcass.
Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team said it was called out on 25th October after a report of a stranded whale.
The team said it located the whale, which it believes to be a juvenile Northern Bottlenose whale.
It said the animal was already dead when volunteers arrived.
The team said it took what measurements it could safely get and passed them to its operations room.
The team said the relevant agencies have been informed and will deal with the carcass.
Warning to keep away
The team said people in the area should take care because the storm is still going strong.
It also said people should not touch the carcass, as it may carry toxins that can pass to humans.
What to do if you find a stranded whale
In its post, the team shared advice on what to do if you find a stranded whale or other cetacean.
It said sightings should be reported as soon as possible, even if the animal appears to be dead.
People should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, give details, then keep clear and wait for help.
The team said gathering around an animal can increase its distress, and disease can be passed to humans.
It also warned against trying to push a stranded animal back into the sea.
The team said well-intentioned rescue attempts by the public could cause painful injuries to the animal and be dangerous to those involved.
It said even a relatively small one-tonne animal would be the equivalent of a hatchback car rolling onto someone.
The team said HM Coastguard will usually bring in trained volunteers from the charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue to make key welfare decisions, often working with a vet.
The charity was formed in 1988 and trains more than 1,000 Marine Mammal Medics every year.
The team said their role is to be on the scene to act in the animals' best interests.