…Researched and contributed by Jack Sylva.
A dead 31ft female minke whale was found on West Bay Beach after it had been spotted in North Berwick, Scotland the day before.
Residents living several streets away complained of the stench from the carcass, and the local council had to call in workers to move the nine-tonne animal onto a lorry.
It took them three hours to use lifting equipment and diggers to haul it away, due to the putrid gases produced during the decomposition process which cause the carcass to expand.
People are advised not to go near the area, as the risk of disease-carrying bacteria is still high.
The whale’s carcass will be washed away by the high tide.
The whale that washed up on West Bay Beach was identified as a female minke whale, a species that grows up to a maximum length of 35ft, making this whale particularly sizeable.
When whales die, the decomposition process produces putrid gas, which can cause their carcasses to expand.
There have been reports of beached whales exploding due to the pressure of the gases produced.
Although the whale in Scotland was expanding, the council has confirmed that there was no risk of explosion.
The Daily Star article warns people to stay away from the area, including keeping dogs away, as the risk of disease-carrying bacteria is high
. The council has advised visitors to avoid the area until after the afternoon’s high tide, which will wash away any remaining debris.
The police have cordoned off the area to keep people away from the whale’s carcass.