A dead female minke whale has been found washed ashore in East Lothian.
The animal was discovered just off North Berwick harbour on Wednesday afternoon.
East Lothian Council is now arranging for the whale’s removal and warned members of the public to stay away from the carcass.
They also said dogs shouldn’t go near the whale.
The incident has been reported to the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, which collates and analyses reports of stranded cetaceans.
The organisation also carries out autopsies to understand more about the health and ecology of the marine animals.
Common minke are the smallest of the baleen whales, reaching up to 27ft in length, and can be spotted around Scotland’s coastal and inshore waters.
Susan Davies, CEO of the Scottish Seabird Centre said: “We were all sad to see a common minke whale washed onto the rocks below North Berwick harbour today.
“Seeing a creature of this scale inevitably sparks curiosity but we advise everyone to keep their distance if they wish to look at it.”
The Scottish Seabird Centre supports a Whale and Dolphin Conservation Shorewatch site at North Berwick harbour.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
