A giant whale found washed up on a beach was hit by a boat and died after being dragged for miles, an expert believes.
The 12-metre-long creature was found stranded on the rocks at Bawdsey beach in Suffolk on Monday.
The fin whale had sustained injuries consistent with being struck by the front of a ship, it has been suggested.
The vessel is then believed to have then carried the incredible animal, believed to be only a few years old, closer to shore.
Rob Deauville, of the UK Cetaceans Strandings Investigation Programme, assessed the mammal and said it had likely been hit by a boat.
Mr Deauville said: "I think it likely that the whale had been brought into the region on the front of a vessel- depressions and contact marks - consistent with contact with the front of a vessel - were visible on the exposed mid-region of the whale.
"We don't know whether the whale was struck/picked up whilst alive or already dead- nor whether there were any other underlying issues with the whale.
"Given the length, this was likely a young animal, perhaps only a few years old at most."
Mr Deauville said that three or four fin whales are recorded stranded in the UK every year and that it was the fourth fin whale found stranded in Suffolk since records began in 1990.
Fin whales, which have long and slender bodies, can live up to 90 years and are found in all the world's major oceans.
The mammals are rarely spotted in British waters but have been seen off the coast of Cornwall, Scotland and Ireland.
Fin whales are the second largest whale species in the world and can grow up to 25.9 metres (85ft), weighing 74,000kg.
East Suffolk Council has confirmed that a scientist will be examining the body of the whale which was washed up on the beach.
A spokesperson said: “Our contractual partners at East Suffolk Norse were made aware of the presence of a whale carcass having washed ashore at Bawdsey on Easter Monday, April 18, following a report made via social media.
“An operations manager attended the site on Tuesday, April 19 and confirmed that the deceased whale had washed ashore and become trapped between the groynes and sea defence.
“HM Coastguard was also in attendance to keep the area clear until the expected arrival of a representative from the Natural History Museum to carry out examinations this afternoon, before arrangements can be made for disposal of the carcass.”
