A huge whale carcass has washed up on Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall this morning (15 November).

The mammal was identified as a fin whale – the second largest in the world – at 54 feet long.

In pictures taken at the scene, the whale can be seen stretched out across the sand, with what appears to be blood around its mouth, stomach, and fin.

It is not clear what caused the mammal’s death, nor the cause of the bleeding.

What appears to be several scratch marks can also be seen around the whale’s face.

A Jam Press reporter on the scene was told by a Marine Stranding Network volunteer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust that the mammal has a “high risk of blowing up” and that it would be “very gassy and messy”.

Locals have been asked to stay away from the carcass, and the area has now been cordoned off by officials.

The heartbreaking scene was spotted by beachgoers and dog walkers, who can be seen standing near the mammal on the shore.

In January, the remains of a fin whale were found on Perranuthnoe beach on Cornwall’s south coast.

In June 2022, a ‘baby’ whale was discovered on Millendreath beach near Looe in Cornwall.

ENDS