A 16-metre-long fin whale has been found dead on a beach in Cornwall.
The deceased creature was discovered on Fistral Beach in Newquay.
It was spotted yesterday off the Cribbar Surfing point, where witnesses described it as behaving “strangely”.
This morning, the mammal washed up on the shores of the beach, now deceased.
The public have been advised to stay 20ft away from the whale
Simon Dando
Volunteers from Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Marine Strandings Network are investigating the death.
Newquay Activity Centre, a nearby surf school, first noticed the creature on a routine morning patrol.
They advised the public to stay at least 20ft away from the whale.
They said: "There are organisms still living on the now deceased whale which it's important to keep a distance from the blood which can be toxic."
A cordon was being set up, the surf school claimed.
They continued: "A decision will be made concering if the tide will naturally move the body or other measures will be required."
Newquay Surf School concluded by dubbing the scene "very sad".
It is unsure as of yet what caused the death of the whale.
Its cause of death is uncertain
Simon Dando
Experts will carry out an autopsy to establish what led to its death.
The fin whale is the second largest mammal in the world, just behind the blue whale.
Passers-by who spotted the deceased whale expressed their sadness online.
Sharing a photo of the mammal, one said: "It’s so heartbreaking to see this. An autopsy will be done today to find out how it’s died - this is very rare around this way."