A large fin whale washed up on the west Waterford coast is believed to have died at sea up to a week ago.
The remains of the badly decomposed mammal are thought to have come ashore in the Ballinclamper area, close to Abbeyside and Dungarvan, last night or early this morning and are currently on rocks, which are not easily accessible on foot.
However, Waterford City and County Council have advised members of the public to stay away from the carcass "for health and safety reasons".
It is not yet known if the council will attempt to remove and dispose of the remains of the whale, which is up to 20 metres in length.
Andrew Malcolm of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said it is possible the carcass will wash out to sea at a period of high tide. "It's not really accessible to do anything with it at the moment," he said.
"My feeling is, let nature take its course. The birds will be delighted."
Fin whales are among the larger species of whale and can reach up to 22 metres in length.
They are sometimes seen off the Irish coast, particularly the southern coast, with some seen repeatedly from year to year.
This time of year, between November and January, is when they are most often sighted. Up to 10 were spotted off Helvick Head in Co Waterford earlier this month.
Mr Malcolm said the scale of decomposition of the whale, which has left no skin in place, would lead him to believe it has been dead for up to a week, while an initial inspection does not suggest any external involvement in its death.
