Beached whale 'too dangerous' for council to move

The council say moving the whale is not an option

A council responsible for moving a dead whale from a beach has said it would be "too dangerous" to attempt the operation.

The 16ft (5m) minke whale has been beached at Saltwick Bay, near Whitby, since at least 2 October.

North Yorkshire Council said they would normally be required to remove the mammal from the public area but that it was "not an option".

Head of harbours and coastal infrastructure, Chris Bourne, said: "We always look to remove animal remains when they wash up on our shore. However, on this occasion the area is inaccessible and would prove too dangerous for our team and their equipment."

He added: "Having been in touch with the RSPCA, the body is so badly decomposed, moving it is not an option."

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue organisation confirmed that the creature was in an "advanced state of decomposition".

"Initial thoughts based on size and shape are that it would be a minke whale, a species found regularly off the north east coast," it said.

"There is no way of us knowing how it died or when unfortunately."

The UK Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme advised people not to approach the carcass.

Removal job

There have been occasions when local authorities have had to remove the remains of stranded whales because they presented a health and safety hazard.

In May 2023, a 55ft (17m) fin whale was taken off the beach at Bridlington by contractors appointed by East Riding Council, who strapped it to a truck and drove it up the slipway.

The council called the operation "incredibly difficult and challenging".

In September 2023, North Yorkshire Council arranged for a tractor and trailer to tow the body of a minke whale away from the shore of Robin Hood's Bay.

Over Christmas 2020, a pod of 10 sperm whales beached in Withernsea in East Yorkshire and specialist contractors had to be hired to remove some of the carcasses using a bespoke metal sledge. Those involved in the operation said they had taken inspiration from how the ancient Egyptians had built the pyramids when considering how to transport the heavy load across sand.

The whales were taken to a rendering plant for disposal after reports of members of the public climbing on the decomposing bodies.

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