A 30ft northern bottlenose whale has been found dead on the beach at Alum Chine near Bournemouth (22nd September).  It is thought to be the same whale first sighted swimming between Bournemouth Pier and Branksome two weeks ago, and it appears (from rope marks discovered on the whale’s beak) that the animal may have become entangled in netting. A post-mortem examination will be carried out which may help to confirm the cause of death and also whether or not the whale was sick or wounded when it first appeared.

Northern bottlenose whales, which belong to the beaked whale family, live in very deep water and are more commonly found in the UK to the north and west of Scotland.

For more information regarding bycatch issues click on the following link to view the WDCS summary document – Shrouded by the sea;

http://www.wdcs.org/publications.php

For information regarding strandings please click on the link below;

http://www.wdcs.org/stop/strandings/index.php

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