Public warned to stay away after dead whale discovered on Portstewart beach in Northern Ireland.

Dead minke whale washes up on Portstewart Strand as public warned to stay away due to health risks.

Public warned to stay away after dead whale discovered on Portstewart beach in Northern Ireland.

 

PORTSTEWART, NORTHERN IRELAND — A large dead minke whale was found washed ashore at Portstewart Strand on Sunday evening, prompting warnings from officials and environmental agencies for the public to maintain a safe distance.

 

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed the incident, stating that teams are coordinating with the National Trust to assess the scene. Authorities will begin examinations and sample collection from the whale on Monday to determine the cause of death.

 

Officials quickly cordoned off the area and urged the public not to approach the carcass. “Until this process is safely complete, we urge the public to continue to follow all signage and keep a safe distance,” a National Trust spokeswoman said.

 

Dog walkers are being particularly cautioned, with requests to keep pets on leads and under control to avoid any contact with the decomposing animal. Experts warn that dead marine mammals can carry diseases transmissible to humans and dogs, posing a significant health risk.

 

Six-year-old Caitlin, who encountered the whale during a walk with her family, described the sight as "sad," and expressed a wish that the whale be respectfully buried on the beach. “It’s very big and we can see his teeth,” she said. “I hope it gets buried here and then they put a wee cross on it.”

 

Other beachgoers echoed the sentiment of awe and sorrow. David McCann, visiting from London, said, “It’s quite amazing, an amazing creature. It’s just a pity it’s washed up.”

 

Laurence Ghisoiu, senior visitor experience officer for the National Trust, said the organization is working closely with DAERA to manage the situation. “It is sad but it is nature. Our main concern at the moment is the safety of our visitors,” he said.

 

Minke whales, though among the smaller whale species, can still grow up to 35 feet (10 meters) and weigh as much as 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms). These whales are typically spotted in UK waters between July and October and can live for up to 50 years.

 

This is not the first time Portstewart Strand has witnessed such an event. In 2015, another whale washed ashore and was ultimately removed and sent to a landfill.

 

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as they determine the appropriate method of disposal for the whale.