Huge whale stranded on Cornwall beach cut up with chainsaws amid fears of toxic explosion
Witnesses who saw the whale swimming yesterday, described it as behaving 'strangely'
Simon Dando
A female 16-metre-long fin whale, which was found dead on a beach in Cornwall, has been cut up with chainsaws to stop it from "blowing up".
The mammal, which is understood to be a malnourished young female, could have exploded due to toxic gasses in its corpse.
A volunteer from Cornwall Wildlife Trust said if this were to happen, it would have been "very gassy and messy".
Dead whales often explode when gases accumulate within their large bodies.
WATCH NOW: Whale carcass found on Cornwall beach
Marine specialists have cut up the mammal with chainsaws to safely dispose of the carcass to stop any gasses from spreading which could cause a toxic reaction.
They are also carrying out a post-mortem to identify how the 16-metre long whale died.
Abby Crosby, from Cornwall Wildlife Trust, told GB News: "Animals strand and strand our coastline all year for a variety of reasons so whenever one does strand, although it’s very sad, it’s a real opportunity to go an examine the carcass and understand what is happening.
"You know, these animals are windows to the health of our seas."
The deceased creature was discovered on Fistral Beach in Newquay.
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The public have been advised to stay 20ft away from the whale
Simon Dando
It was spotted on Tuesday night off the Cribbar Surfing point, where witnesses described it as behaving “strangely”.
Yesterday morning, the mammal washed up on the shores of the beach, now deceased.
Volunteers from Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Marine Strandings Network are investigating the death.
Newquay Activity Centre, a nearby surf school, first noticed the creature on a routine morning patrol.
They advised the public to stay at least 20ft away from the whale.
They said: "There are organisms still living on the now deceased whale which it's important to keep a distance from the blood which can be toxic."
Its cause of death is uncertain
Simon Dando
A cordon was being set up, the surf school claimed.
They continued: "A decision will be made concerning if the tide will naturally move the body or other measures will be required."
Newquay Surf School concluded by dubbing the scene "very sad".
It is unsure as of yet what caused the death of the whale.
The fin whale is the second largest mammal in the world, just behind the blue whale.
Passers-by who spotted the deceased whale expressed their sadness online.
Sharing a photo of the mammal, one said: "It’s so heartbreaking to see this. An autopsy will be done today to find out how it’s died - this is very rare around this way."