The public has been urged to “stay clear” of a minke whale carcass found washed up on Tyrella beach in Co Down yesterday morning (Monday 9 September).

According to ITV News, the 27ft marine wildlife giant was found with what appeared to be a piece of fishing gear wrapped around its tail — suggesting that it may have been caught up in a net off the coast.

Newcastle Coastguard attended the “distressing scene” on request by NI Fisheries Protection, said BBC News, which also noted that a similar whale carcass stranded in a Donegal estuary on Lough Swilly a month ago.