Locals in the Alps were left stunned when they spotted what appeared to be a whale beached on the shore of a lake – some 700 metres above sea level.

The footage, captured on June 8 in Lac de Serre-Ponçon, shows locals observing a group of men dressed in white, who appear to be treating the sea animal.

It was later found to be a publicity stunt by a collective of Belgian artists known as Captain Boomer, to mark World Oceans Day.

The group have conducted similar stunts in London and Paris.

Footage of a beached 'whale' in the Alps emerged this morning. The animal was found on the shoreline of Lac de Serre-Ponçon in the Hautes-Alps - 700 metres above sea level! A rescue team in white overalls appeared to be treating the whale for dehydration. (It was later found to be a publicity stunt by a collection of Belgian artists called Captain Boomer, to mark World Ocean's Day, but locals were fooled! The group have conducted similar stunts in London and Paris in the past)