The carcass of a juvenile humpback whale washed ashore on a Northumberland beach near Dunstanburgh Castle on Sunday 22 September.
According to Howick Coastguard Rescue Team, the whale’s body was found on the rocks around 2pm, and they have warned the public to steer clear as the partially decomposed carcass poses a ‘very significant health risk’.
Humpback whales in this state of decay can carry literally thousands of lice, and oil-based chemicals within the carcass, such as putrescine and cadaverine, can adhere to a person’s body and emit an extremely unpleasant smell.
Photo credit: Steve Millard
