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Hunstanton whale: Guards protect stranded carcass Hunstanton whale: Guards protect stranded carcass
(about 2 hours later)
Security guards have been employed to prevent people from "scavenging" from the corpse of a sperm whale which got stranded on a beach and died.Security guards have been employed to prevent people from "scavenging" from the corpse of a sperm whale which got stranded on a beach and died.
The 50ft (14.5m) male sperm whale died at Hunstanton, Norfolk, on Friday after a rescue attempt failed.The 50ft (14.5m) male sperm whale died at Hunstanton, Norfolk, on Friday after a rescue attempt failed.
Brian Long, from King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said the guards would prevent people from touching it or removing parts from the body.Brian Long, from King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said the guards would prevent people from touching it or removing parts from the body.
It will be removed from the beach, where crowds have gathered to see it.It will be removed from the beach, where crowds have gathered to see it.
Read more on this story and others from Norfolk
Mr Long said: "We don't want to see people scavenging, as has happened before."Mr Long said: "We don't want to see people scavenging, as has happened before."
The council will employ a contractor which specialises in the disposal of animals to remove the body.The council will employ a contractor which specialises in the disposal of animals to remove the body.
"Because of its size and weight, it needs to be removed section by section and it's not pleasant at all," Mr Long said."Because of its size and weight, it needs to be removed section by section and it's not pleasant at all," Mr Long said.
Scientists from the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which coordinates the investigation of all whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK, have taken samples to ascertain the cause of death.Scientists from the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which coordinates the investigation of all whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK, have taken samples to ascertain the cause of death.
Programme organiser Rob Deaville said they will be testing skin, blubber, teeth and blood.Programme organiser Rob Deaville said they will be testing skin, blubber, teeth and blood.
About five or six sperm whales are stranded in the UK each year, he said.About five or six sperm whales are stranded in the UK each year, he said.
Sperm whales are deep sea mammals and do not belong in the shallow waters of the North Sea.Sperm whales are deep sea mammals and do not belong in the shallow waters of the North Sea.
The whale was one of about five which were seen in the waters at Hunstanton on Friday.The whale was one of about five which were seen in the waters at Hunstanton on Friday.
Mr Deaville had warned the survivors were at "considerable risk" of also being stranded.Mr Deaville had warned the survivors were at "considerable risk" of also being stranded.
By Sunday, the bodies of three sperm whales, believed to be from the same pod, were washed up in Skegness, Lincolnshire.By Sunday, the bodies of three sperm whales, believed to be from the same pod, were washed up in Skegness, Lincolnshire.