Moray CouncilThe public is being asked to avoid a beach in Lossiemouth after a stranded whale washed up.
The seven-metre minke whale is believed to have died after becoming entangled in creel lines before washing up on the beach between West Beach café and Covesea lighthouse.
Moray Council has decided leave the whale in the its current location due to limited access to the beach and soft sand making its removal “extremely difficult”.
Moray CouncilDue to its decomposed state, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) is also unable to remove the carcass for scientific research.
The local authority has asked the public to avoid getting to close to the whale and to keep children and dogs under control.
Moray Council’s acting head of economic growth and development, Beverly Smith, said: “While it’s a distressing sight to see we know that nature will take its course and the whale will eventually disappear.
“The difficulties in removing the carcass are numerous and it would be unsafe and impractical to do so.
“I echo the reminder from our Environmental Health team to avoid the area for the time being and to keep dogs and children away from the whale.”
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