A DEAD porpoise has washed up on a Bournemouth beach. 

The animal, believed to be a harbour porpoise, was spotted with Coastguard tape around its body and mouth on the beach at Hengistbury Head in Southbourne. 

Harbour porpoises are common along Dorset’s coast, often seen swimming in shallow water. 

Southbourne resident Honey Newman, 18, was out for a walk with her boyfriend and mum on Sunday afternoon, March 3, when she saw the animal from a distance. 

“We were on a walk at about midday when we saw something poking up from the sand in the distance,” she said. “From afar it looked like an inflatable.  

Bournemouth Echo: The porpoise was spotted by Bournemouth resident Honey, 18The porpoise was spotted by Bournemouth resident Honey, 18 (Image: Honey Newman)

“When we got closer it looked like it was maybe alive. It had Coastguard tape wrapped around it. This is the first time I have seen anything like this while on the beach. 

“There were a few dogs around on the beach but they were avoiding it.” 

Honey said she went home and started to Google what it could be and concluded it might be a harbour porpoise. “I thought maybe it was a baby dolphin at first because it was so small,” she said. 

“It was maybe four feet long perhaps, quite small.” 

According to Dorset Wildlife Trust, harbour porpoises are shy and will avoid going up to boats and jet skis. 

But if they do come close to people, you may hear a loud “chuff” noise as they come to the surface for air – giving them the nickname “puffing pig”. 

A warm blooded animal, they are seen all over the shorelines of Britain all year round and can grow between 1.4 to two metres in length and weighing between 55 and 75 kilograms. 

Harbour porpoises can live up to 20 years and are a protected species under UK law. 

To identify them, Dorset Wildlife Trust said: "Look out for a small, triangular dorsal fin breaking the surface.  

“Harbour porpoise are small and stocky, with a dark grey back and lighter underbelly. Their faces are rounded and have no beak.” 

They feed mainly on fish, including sand eels, herring and whiting. 

A spokeswoman for HM Coastguard said the find was reported to them at 10am.

She said: "Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to check out the report which looks like it came in from the local NCI.

"However, HM Coastguard then reports the findings to the local landowner who will have the responsibility of removing the dead dolphin/porpoise.

"There may be further tests to be carried out on how it came to die but that won’t sit with HM Coastguard directly."