This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35395107

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hunstanton whale: Guards protect stranded carcass Hunstanton whale: Guards protect stranded carcass
(about 1 hour 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 that 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 stop people touching it or removing parts from the body.
It will be removed from the beach, where crowds have gathered to see it. The carcass is due to be cut up and removed from the beach.
Read more on this story and others from NorfolkRead more on this story and others from Norfolk
Mr Long said: "We don't want to see people scavenging, as has happened before." By Sunday the bodies of three sperm whales, believed to be from the same pod, were washed up in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
The council will employ a contractor which specialises in the disposal of animals to remove the body. One of the carcasses exploded earlier during an examination by scientists.
"Because of its size and weight, it needs to be removed section by section and it's not pleasant at all," Mr Long said. At the weekend crowds stood close to the whale at Hunstanton, with some touching and stroking it.
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. Mr Long, who took his son to see it on Sunday, said: "It can nurture an understanding that you just don't get from seeing a picture in a book or on the television."
Programme organiser Rob Deaville said they will be testing skin, blubber, teeth and blood. "[But] we don't want to see people scavenging, as has happened before."
About five or six sperm whales are stranded in the UK each year, he said. The council will employ a contractor that specialises in the disposal of animals to remove the body, which Mr Long said is estimated to weigh about 30 tonnes.
"Because of its size and weight, it needs to be removed section by section and it's not pleasant at all," he said.
Scientists from the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme investigate all whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK and have taken samples from the carcass.
Programme organiser Rob Deaville, said they will test the skin, blubber, teeth and blood to ascertain cause of death.
This then determines how the body is disposed of, either by incineration or disposal in landfill.
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. About five or six sperm whales are stranded in the UK each year.
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.