20-metre whale washes up on Irish beach
The dead fin whale was discovered last weekend
Pictures have emerged of a deceased fin whale which washed up on Ross Beach near Killala in Mayo recently.
The large whale, discovered at the weekend, measured approximately 20 metres in length.
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Facebook page posted: "This very recently dead, 20.7 meter whale was severely emaciated. Therefore, cause of death was almost certainly due to the fact that it had not fed in quite some time, for reasons unknown.
"Samples were collected for our Deep Diving and Rare Species Investigation Programme (DDRIP) (supported by @NPWSbiodata) which will be used to support future research projects on fin whales in Irish waters."
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has issued an appeal to the public to "be respectful, and maintain a safe distance. Whales are mammals and therefore have the potential to spread disease to humans, as well as pets. Please keep all dogs on a lead."
The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on earth, second only to the blue whale.