A whale carcass spanning at least 9 meters in length washes up on a Devon beach.

The body of the mammal, thought to be a fin or a baleen whale, washed ashore near Hartland Quay at 4 p.m.

Police have warned people not to go near the whale’s carcass as it could be harmful to health. (photo: unilad)

Cheryl Fan Duerden wrote on Facebook: “Back from a BDMLR call out this evening to check on a whale that washed up on Hartland Quay.

“Exceptionally foggy drive and not the easiest access through slippery jagged rocks in the dark, but someone’s gotta do it!

Staff at the Hartland Quay Hotel and Pub, have reported the discovery to the Government on their specialist whale and dolphin hotline ( Image: Liam Reynolds/Devon Live)

The mammal’s body, measuring at least 9 metres long, was first spotted at 4pm ( Image: Liam Reynolds/Devon Live)

“Unfortunately it was dead, possibly a while ago, 9-10 metres at least and suspected small fin whale or large minke whale.

“Very sad to see it flopped over and lodged amongst the rocks and blood in the rockpools, but to see a whale in its entirety is still pretty awesome.”

Sarah Stafford, manager of the Hartland Quay Hotel and Pub, told Devon Live: “We have reported it to the Government on their specialist whale and dolphin hotline.

“It’s huge but it’s definitely dead. We think it’s a baleen whale.

“I can’t imagine anything will happen to it very soon because it is dead – but at the moment the tide is currently washing it further inshore.”

( Image: Paul Willby/SWNS.COM)

Stephen Marsh of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said “We’d advise people not to get too close the animal and dogs especially can get very ill, very quickly if they manage to eat any of the carcass.”

Mr Marsh stated that it may remain until washed away by a higher tide, but if this does not occur, the local authorities would have to deal with the issue.

“It’s hard to identity exactly what sort of whale it is due to the decomposition,” he added. “But I would say by the looks of it, it may well be a fin whale. We’d also point out that it’s illegal to take any part of the whale as a trophy.”