A dead whale measuring 4.15 metres in length and 1.5m in width was yesterday found on the beach around Laybato Bar and Restaurant in the vicinity of Fajara beach Hotel, The Point can confirm. The body of the rare marine creature was strewn with wounds, believed to have been inflicted by gunshots.

Matarr Jagne, a juice vendor, explained that the dead whale was brought ashore at about 6am yesterday.

Mr Momodou J. Suwareh, Senior Programme Coordinator at the Marine and Environment Unit of NEA, underlined the need to preserve the whale species within the Gambian territory for the benefit of posterity. He expressed the suspicion that the whale must have come under attack, leading to its death.