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Young male sperm whale washes ashore in Donegal

The whale was washed ashore on Saturday (Picture: Marcus Hogan)
The whale was washed ashore on Saturday (Picture: Marcus Hogan)

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group have been examining a sperm whale which was washed ashore on a beach in Gleann Cholmcille in south Donegal at the weekend.

The animal was washed ashore on Saturday evening at An Tra Mhór. The male whale measured 13.5 metres.

The group says a recent study shows that immature sperm whales are more common than expected off the west coast of Ireland and around one to four sperm whales are washed ashore in Ireland each year and reported to the group.

Measurements, images and samples have been collected but no cause of death is possible due to its poor condition.

No cause of death is possible due to its poor condition, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said (Picture: Marcus Hogan)