Skip to content

Dead sperm whale found washed up on Norfolk coast

Sarah Bryer Dead sperm whaleSarah Bryer
The 45ft-long (13.9m) male animal was found near Weybourne

A "quite well decayed" dead sperm whale has been discovered washed up on a north Norfolk beach.

The 45ft-long (13.9m) male animal was found on Tuesday morning near Weybourne.

Carl Chapman, from the monitoring group Norfolk Cetaceans, said it was likely the whale "has been dead for around about three weeks" given its state.

Last week, another dead sperm whale was spotted about one mile (1.6km) off the Norfolk coast in The Wash.

Chris Taylor Photo Dead sperm whale at WeybourneChris Taylor Photo
Sperm whales have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth, say experts

Mr Chapman said it was rare for sperm whales to enter the shallow waters of the North Sea.

He said there had been a proliferation of squid this year and thought the whale may have been tempted into chasing them into the southern North Sea.

He said the animal could be washed back into the sea with a high tide, or "could just be left to rot where it is and be recycled back into the system by the birds and the fishes".

Chris Taylor Photo Sperm whale on beach at WeybourneChris Taylor Photo
According to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, approximately 500 cetacean strandings are reported around the UK each year
Presentational grey line

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]