Whale washed up on beach in Cornwall may be rare fin whale

Updated
whale carcass washes up on Cornwall beach
whale carcass washes up on Cornwall beach



The carcass of a large whale has been found washed up on a beach in Cornwall.

The 65ft whale was discovered by Ado Shorland while walking his dog on Wanson Beach near Bude, reports the Western Morning News.

Marine biologists are examining the decomposed carcass.

According to the BBC, they believe it could be an endangered fin whale.

Mr Shorland said: "I found it yesterday morning. It measures around 20m and the lower jaw has been detached and alone it is about 5m. It is a very large whale.

"From a distance I thought it to be a large tarp or mesh netting. When I realised it was a whale I was excited and saddened at the same time.

"I felt humbled to be honest, the sheer size suggests it to be an adult, and alive it would have been such a majestic mammal."

Fin whales are classed as an endangered species as they were heavily hunted during the last 200 years.

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