A long-finned pilot whale was washed up on a local beach last week.

The whale was first spotted on Wednesday by surfers between Saundersfoot and Monkstone. It is believed that the whale was trying to beach itself, but was towed back out to sea by the surfers. Local coastguards, the RSPCA, Terry Leadbetter from the Welsh Marine Life Rescue Centre, representatives from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and Rod Penrose, Strandings, co- ordinator (Wales), were all notified and kept a lookout for the distressed whale.

With failing daylight nothing could be done and it was arranged for the inshore lifeboat to sweep the coast the following morning to see if it had re- stranded.

However, there were no further sightings, until there was a report of a dead pilot whale being washed up on Marros Beach, Pendine, on Friday afternoon.

Said Rod: "It is assumed that this was the same animal, but the tide reclaimed the carcass before a post mortem examination could be arranged to try and determine the cause of death. "The next day the Dyfed Powys Police helicopter noticed the animal further along the beach on the shingle bank and a post mortem examination was conducted on-site.

"It was a 4.15-metre female long-finned pilot whale in a fresh condition, the teeth were worn indicating this to be an old animal.

"A cause of death could not be immediately found and it is hoped further laboratory analysis of samples taken may indicate a result at a later date. "Unfortunately, the remains of the carcass re- floated yet again and the remains stayed at large until a section of blubber washed in on South Beach, Tenby, on Tuesday, the rest returning to Marros and disposed of also on Tuesday.