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Gilbert the whale dead on beach Gilbert the whale dead on beach
(8 minutes later)
A whale spotted off the Dorset coast has died.A whale spotted off the Dorset coast has died.
The northern bottlenose, which had been named Gilbert and measures about 21ft (6.4m), was found dead on the beach at Alum Chine.The northern bottlenose, which had been named Gilbert and measures about 21ft (6.4m), was found dead on the beach at Alum Chine.
The young female, thought at first to be a male, was initially sighted on 13 September between Bournemouth Pier and Branksome.The young female, thought at first to be a male, was initially sighted on 13 September between Bournemouth Pier and Branksome.
Rescuers fear she may have got caught up in netting because rope marks were discovered on her beak.Rescuers fear she may have got caught up in netting because rope marks were discovered on her beak.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out and the body then removed from the beach and taken to an incinerator in Devon. A post-mortem examination is being carried out and the body will then be removed from the beach and taken to an incinerator in Devon.
The promenade and beach have been closed while the tests take place.
Gilbert was last seen in Dorset on Friday and there had been an unconfirmed sighting off the Cornwall coast. Conservationists had hoped she was making her way to the Atlantic.Gilbert was last seen in Dorset on Friday and there had been an unconfirmed sighting off the Cornwall coast. Conservationists had hoped she was making her way to the Atlantic.
'Migrating south''Migrating south'
Jenny O'Connor, from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), said a bottlenose would normally be found off the west coast of England, migrating south at this time of year.Jenny O'Connor, from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), said a bottlenose would normally be found off the west coast of England, migrating south at this time of year.
"I can't say for certain but it does look from the rope marks around her top beak that she may have been caught in some form of nets," she said."I can't say for certain but it does look from the rope marks around her top beak that she may have been caught in some form of nets," she said.
"Obviously this has got to be looked into by the appropriate authorities and with the pathologists.""Obviously this has got to be looked into by the appropriate authorities and with the pathologists."
Another reason might be it ran out of food because it is used to squid and the only thing we have out in the bay is cuttlefish David Hubbard, beach wardenAnother reason might be it ran out of food because it is used to squid and the only thing we have out in the bay is cuttlefish David Hubbard, beach warden
Gilbert was named after RNLI lifeguard Nick "Gilbert" Smith who first spotted her.Gilbert was named after RNLI lifeguard Nick "Gilbert" Smith who first spotted her.
Rescuers said it was unusual to see a whale seemingly content to stay so close to the shore in an unfamiliar area.Rescuers said it was unusual to see a whale seemingly content to stay so close to the shore in an unfamiliar area.
It had been feared the mammal would become dehydrated feeding on small fish in the area, rather than its usual diet of squid, as it gets water from food.It had been feared the mammal would become dehydrated feeding on small fish in the area, rather than its usual diet of squid, as it gets water from food.
Beach warden David Hubbard said: "I just heard it could be fishing nets which are fixed out in the bay.Beach warden David Hubbard said: "I just heard it could be fishing nets which are fixed out in the bay.
"Unfortunately it is used to such deep waters, it has been caught in some shallow nets."Unfortunately it is used to such deep waters, it has been caught in some shallow nets.
"Another reason might be it ran out of food because it is used to squid and the only thing we have out in the bay is cuttlefish.""Another reason might be it ran out of food because it is used to squid and the only thing we have out in the bay is cuttlefish."