Beached whale's death baffles experts

Experts tonight remain unsure how a sperm whale washed ashore met its death.

The 14-metre long body of the male whale had been seen floating in The Wash, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, before becoming grounded nearby on mudflats.

Bad weather conditions hindered the efforts of scientists who had today hoped to carry out a full post-mortem examination on the mammal.

Zoologist Richard Sabin, of the Natural History Museum, said teeth and samples of tissue and muscle had been taken to help find out about its health and cause of death.

He said: “The teeth are quite worn which suggests the mammal is quite an old adult, but we took some sections from them to determine the correct age.

“We think it had been stranded while alive because there were abrasions on its tail which suggest it was alive in shallow water, and had been there for about three days.”

He added: “There are propeller marks on the top of the head but they were made after the mammal had died because there were no blood marks.

“My interpretation of this is that it was probably floating in shallow water and was hit by someone most likely in a small boat who wanted to have a look.”

Mr Sabin said parasites in the blubber would be analysed, which also give an indication of its health.

Test results from the 30 tonne animal are not expected for at least six weeks.

Sperm whales are usually seen in the North East and Scotland, although two years ago a few were spotted in the Thames Estuary, he said.

The whale will remain on the mudflats where it will either by left, or incinerated by the local council.

The great sperm whale, which is found all over the world, is the deepest diving mammal, largest toothed whale and has the biggest brain of marine mammals compared with its body size.