Westcliff Whale Carcass - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Westcliff Whale Carcass – THE rotting carcass of a washed-up whale has been cleared from a Westcliff beach following calls from a Southend environmental group.

Westcliff Whale Carcass - THE rotting carcass of a washed-up whale has been cleared from a Westcliff beach following calls from a Southend environmental group.

THE rotting carcass of a washed-up whale has been cleared from a Westcliff beach following calls from a Southend environmental group.

Southend Against Sewerage discovered the dead mammal, believed to be a pilot wale, near the Thames Estuary Yacht Club on Saturday, May 3.

Following the discovery, the whale spent four days decomposing on the beach before Southend Council contractors removed the body.

Matt Dent, Labour Councillor for Culture and Tourism reportedly said: “Our foreshore team alerted our new waste contractor sewer who collected the whale remains and cleared the site yesterday afternoon.

“Incidents like this are rare and must be handled carefully to ensure movement is carried out safely and in line with the environmental guidance.”

Southend Against Sewage raised the alarm via the Council’s online reporting system, citing fears over the risk of pollution and contamination that could be caused by the rotting animal.

In posts on Southend Against Sewage’s Facebook page, members suggested that they thought the whale could have been hit by a boat propeller across its jaw, which had been broken in two.

Whilst monitoring the location of the body in the wait for its collection, the local group also informed Surfers Against Sewage group, who monitor swimming waters nationally.

Picture: Southend Against Sewerage alerted the council

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