Hoisted onto a 40ft truck by three diggers, her body straining against the ropes, this giant of the sea takes a final ignoble journey.
The 15-ton sei whale – a species rarely seen in the UK because they live in deep waters far from the shore – was washed up after dying at sea.
Experts yesterday spent six hours moving the 43-foot creature from Portstewart beach in Northern Ireland.
She is believed to have died of old age while migrating south to warmer waters.
There are only around 12,000 sei whales in the world. They can live for about 65 years and are an endangered species. They are the fourth largest whale species and among the fastest swimmers in the world.
The carcass is likely to end up in a landfill site after it has been broken down and properly prepared.
© Daily Mail