Whale was washed up at Hunstanton
BEACH walkers made a gruesome discovery of a dead whale corpse.
The decomposing body of a sperm whale was discovered on a privately-owned beach in Hunstanton on Christmas Eve.
Hunstanton Coastguard team was called out to investigate the sighting and found a 55ft whale, which had been dead for sometime, on land opposite the Le Strange Arms.
Sperm whales are generally deep sea creatures but do occasionally visit the North Sea.
Hunstanton Sealife Centre’s Kieran Copeland said that the whale had been dead for sometime and that there was no obvious cause of death.
He believes that the whale had died in the area and said that the body has created quite a stir.
Mr Copeland said: “People are interested in it.
“It is quite rare that you see something like that alive.
“It is human nature to be interested.”
Some pubs near Hunstanton beach have reported an increase in trade over the Christmas period due to visitors coming to look at the whale and the warmer weather.
Managing director of the Le Strange Arms, Bob Wyllie, has seen visitor numbers increased.
Mr Wyllie said: “A lot of people have come to have a look at it.
“Our Ancient Mariner’s Arms did 10 to 15 per cent better.
“We are seeing large numbers of people looking around.
“It is not often you see a dead whale.”
Visitors to the beach are believed to be taking teeth from the corpse, which is starting to smell.
The Natural History Museum has been informed.
The corpse is believed to have been found at Holbeach last week.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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