People have been warned to stay away from a popular seaside spot after a huge whale washed up dead on the coastline.
Whilst you can probably imagine that such an unusual sight might draw a bit of a crowd, there are risks that are posed when such large sea mammals come ashore.
Not to mention the danger posed by the environment around them.
Experts are currently working out how to move the 30-foot whale from where it came ashore at St Mary’s Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent.
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It was first spotted by passersby from the shoreline, but it currently lies in some really deep mud, meaning that there has been a warning issued to anyone who wants to go and see the whale.
Despite having been identified as a minke, some of the experts think it might be a humpback whale.
One person who did see it was Paul Crawford, and he told Kent Online: “I felt humbled to see it.
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“But I also felt a bit of sadness.
“They’re such beautiful and amazing animals.”
Speaking about the incident, a spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: “The Romney Marsh Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to an object floating on the water edge at St Marys Bay.
“Once the object had been located it was confirmed to be a deceased whale.
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“Further investigations were carried out to record statistics of the animal for future analysis.
“The whale was also determined to be a minke whale.
“Possible further investigations will take place to determine how best to remove the animal from the beach.
“In the meantime, it is strongly advised NOT to venture out to the animal due to the deep mud (otherwise known as quicksand) between the animal and the shoreline.”
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Wading into deep mud to see a dead creature shouldn’t exactly sound like a perfect afternoon out, to be honest.
Still, if the coastguard folks are telling you to stay away, it’s well worth heeding their advice.
After all, they do this sort of stuff all year around, and know what is and isn’t safe.
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A spokesperson for Folkestone and Hythe District Council added: “We’re aware of the deceased beached whale at St Mary’s Bay.
“Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from the dead mammal while investigations and its removal are arranged.”
If it is a minke whale, they are some of the least endangered whales in the sea, with around one million thought to be out in the world’s oceans.
As of 2018, the IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature – list has them at ‘Least Concern’.
Humpback whales are also in that same ‘Least Concern’ category.
Still, it’s never nice to see one of these beautiful creatures stranded on a beach in Kent, though.
Tom Wood