First whale in 20 years washes up in Bundoran

The seven-metre whale that washed up on Bundorans main beach yesterday morning. The National Parks and Wildlife Service say that most whales that wash up on shore die from natural causes
Photograph: The Irish Times

A SEVEN-metre (23 ft) dead whale was washed ashore yesterday on the main beach at Bundoran, Co Donegal.

The mammal's body was carried in on a 4.3 metre-high tide. Sunday morning strollers who braved bitterly cold winds at the seaside resort stared at first in disbelief. According to Donegal regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Joe Gatins, the last time a whale was washed ashore at Bundoran was about 20 years ago.

He said: "It's not very unusual for dead whales to be washed ashore but the last time one was seen at Bundoran was in 1987 or 1988."

He added: "By the time they are carried ashore some of the whales could be dead for several weeks. On the outside they seem to be still intact but inside they are like a pressure cooker. Everything is decomposed."

Mr Gatins said: "Most have died at sea from natural causes. A few may have died as a result of being caught up in fishing gear."

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times