The body of a dolphin has washed up on a beach.

Walkers are being warned to stay away from the mammal, which first washed up in Highcliffe on Tuesday.

Officers believed it had then been taken back out to sea, but it was found yesterday morning at the beach directly under Cliffhanger Cafe, at Waterford Road, at around 8am.

Christchurch Borough Council officers cordoned off the aquatic mammal and contacted Dorset Wildlife Trust to help identify the species.

A council spokesman said staff members of its community and recreation team had been in discussions about removing the animal with the DWT.

Marine conservation officer Emma Rance said: “In the case of whales and dolphins they are deemed to be royal fish so we have to report it to CSIP (Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme), and the local authority, as whales and dolphins are protected by the crown.

“It’s very, very sad to see them like this but we can learn a lot from their deaths. We take particular details of the teeth and the distance between the blow hole and the nose etc and, if it’s really uncommon then CSIP will get involved.

“Their deaths can be a real insight into what’s going on at the top end of the food chain and in our oceans generally,” Emma added. 

Marine experts from the DWT have been notified.

Emma also warned beachgoers from getting too close to any sea creatures found dead and stranded - particularly whales, dolphins, seals and turtles.

She said: “They harbour zoonoses - diseases transferable to humans. It’s really important that people don’t touch these animals.”

Anyone who finds any such creature is urged to contact the Dorset Wildlife Trust by calling them on 01305 264620 or tweeting @DorsetWildlife.

The advice from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity is that any person - or dog - that has become ill as a result of coming into contact with dead sea mammals should refer themselves for medical assessment.