A minke whale has become stranded and died at Portstewart Strand in County Londonderry.According to DAERA, the incident was reported on Sunday in the evening.Representatives of the department have been talking with the National Trust and assessments are planned for Monday.Both the National Trust and other experts are asking the public to avoid the carcass as they plan the steps ahead.
As long as the process continues, we ask that everyone follows the directions on the site and keeps their distance, according to an organization spokeswoman.Anyone walking a dog in the area needs to keep their pet under control and on a lead.The spokeswoman for the National Trust said that rotting marine mammals can be hazardous to health. Ticks have diseases that they can share with people and dogs."At about 10 meters (35 feet) long and weighing nearly 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds), minke whales belong to the smaller ones.Between July and October, the species is commonly found in UK waters and individual dolphins can live to 50 years or more.Injury, sickness, tough weather conditions or a botched attempt at navigation can result in whales coming onto the shore.