Family get a shock on Sunday walk and find a 4 foot mammal along the Wirral coast

Aug 17 2011 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A FAMILY had a shock when they went for a Sunday walk along the Wirral coast – and found a large dead mammal.

Jemma Parker and her family were walking along Thurstaston beach when they came across the 4ft long porpoise.

Jemma, 27, of Pensby told the News: “I was walking along with my four-year-old boy, partner and other family members when we saw the it washed up in the tide.

“We were shocked, but excited to know what it was, so took pictures to find out. We thought it was a baby whale, possibly a pilot whale.

An email to the Natural History Museum in London revealed it was a porpoise, related to whales and dolphins, and one possibility is that it may have been attacked by a dolphin.

Senior park ranger at Wirral Country Park, Josef Hanick, added: “We are seeing more seals and porpoises in the rivers Dee and Mersey because it is a lot cleaner.

“Animals die and unfortunately get washed up.”