A DEAD harbour porpoise was found washed up on Rhyl Beach.

The marine animal was found dead on January, Friday 18. A resident, who asked not to be named, made the distressing discovery in the morning.

It is not clear how the animal died.

The resident said: "It wasn't nice to see. I have a seven month old pup who is very inquisitive and she has often found dead fish on the beach which could make her sick if she tried to eat them.

"I was lucky I had my camera so I could take photos."

The RSPCA has received no reports over the marine animal.

Rhyl Journal:

Very sad scenes at Rhyl beach

Natural Resources Wales said the body of the harbour porpoise was too decomposed to be recovered for post-mortem examination, so the reasons for its stranding are unclear.

Ceri Morris, Natural Resources Wales Marine Mammals Ecologist said: “Whales, dolphins and porpoises are among our largest mammals here in Wales – and we work hard to conserve these charismatic creatures.

"Every year, around 80-90 harbour porpoises are reported stranded around the Welsh coastline and NRW works with the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) to help investigate these stranding events where possible."

A spokesperson from the RSPCA said: "We are sad to hear that a dead porpoise has been found on Rhyl beach.

"When a dead marine mammal is found The Wales Strandings Network can be contacted, who are part of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) who investigate these events to try and understand why they occur.

"The RSPCA has received no reports in this instance but will occasionally receive calls when marine mammals, like porpoises, have been stranded. Sometimes we are able to return them to sea when the conditions are right (such as at high tide) but there are instances where they are too unwell and sadly die on the beach."

Anyone who finds a stranded marine species, can report them to the Welsh Strandings coordinator by telephoning the CSIP on 0800 652033.