Body of dead sperm whale 'explodes' during autopsy

The body of a fifth whale has washed up in Lincolnshire

Autopsy: the body of one of the whales 'exploded' as it was being examined

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

25 January 2016

One of three huge sperm whales that washed up on a Lincolnshire beach has "exploded" during a grisly autopsy.

Marine biologists from the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, who investigate all whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK, examined the corpses today.

Scientists cut open the whale using a chainsaw, and were using a probe to look at the carcass when there was a "huge blast of air", according to the BBC.

Members of the public who had gathered to watch also said they witnessed the whale's body "explode."

The whale, which weighs 30-tonnes was found on Central Beach in Skegness on Sunday, two smaller calves were discovered the same day on another beach in the area.

On Saturday another 50ft sperm whale, thought to belong to the same pod, died after becoming stranded on a Norfolk beach.

The body of a fifth whale washed up on Monday afternoon on another Lincolnshire beach.

The whale, which is also believed to be from the same pod, was found at Wainfleet, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported.

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Body of dead sperm whale 'explodes' during autopsy

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