Members of the public are being urged to avoid a Scottish beach after the body of a stranded minke whale washed up on the sand.
Experts believe the seven-metre mammal died after becoming entangled in creel lines.
It has washed up on Lossiemouth West Beach, Moray, between the cafe and Covesea Lighthouse.
Due to its decomposed state, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) is unable to remove the carcass for scientific research.
As the whale is under 25ft, the responsibility of disposal lies with Moray Council.
The local authority’s environmental health service has taken the decision to leave the whale in its current location and “let nature or the tide take its course”.
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The council said limited access to the beach for the necessary vehicles, along with the soft sand, would make the removal operation of the decomposing carcass “extremely difficult”.
The whale will continue to be monitored, with the public advised to avoid getting too close and to keep children and dogs “under control”.
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Beverly Smith, Moray Council’s acting head of economic growth and development, said: “While it’s a distressing sight to see, we know that nature will take its course and the whale will eventually disappear.
“The difficulties in removing the carcass are numerous and it would be unsafe and impractical to do so.
“I echo the reminder from our environmental health team to avoid the area for the time being and to keep dogs and children away from the whale.”
