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Teams recover dead humpback whale Teams recover dead humpback whale
(about 4 hours later)
A humpback whale has been found dead off the south Wales coast near Aberavon.A humpback whale has been found dead off the south Wales coast near Aberavon.
The animal, which is about 15ft (4.5m) long, was reported floating in the Port Talbot harbour area at 0920 GMT.The animal, which is about 15ft (4.5m) long, was reported floating in the Port Talbot harbour area at 0920 GMT.
A spokesman for Swansea coastguard said Port Talbot lifeboat and a coastguard team were sent to tow the animal back to shore.A spokesman for Swansea coastguard said Port Talbot lifeboat and a coastguard team were sent to tow the animal back to shore.
Strandings Co-ordinator for Wales, Rod Penrose, is on his way to the scene to examine the whale.Strandings Co-ordinator for Wales, Rod Penrose, is on his way to the scene to examine the whale.
He said it was possible the dead animal was the same humpback whale which had been spotted in Swansea Bay last month.He said it was possible the dead animal was the same humpback whale which had been spotted in Swansea Bay last month.
However Mr Penrose said he was not certain it was the same one.However Mr Penrose said he was not certain it was the same one.
SamplesSamples
He said if the animal had recently died a pathologist from London Zoo was on standby to carry out a post mortem examination on the whale on Sunday.He said if the animal had recently died a pathologist from London Zoo was on standby to carry out a post mortem examination on the whale on Sunday.
If it has been dead for some time, Mr Penrose said he would take some samples from the animal himself.If it has been dead for some time, Mr Penrose said he would take some samples from the animal himself.
Mr Penrose said he understood a large number of people had gathered on the beach to see the whale and he was concerned about that. Mr Penrose said he understood a large number of people had gathered on the beach to see the whale.
He said humpbacks were not common around Wales.He said humpbacks were not common around Wales.
"There has been an example of one or two in the Irish Sea but it's quite a rarity in UK waters.""There has been an example of one or two in the Irish Sea but it's quite a rarity in UK waters."
If you have pictures of the whale you can send them to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions If you have pictures of the whale you can send them to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.