Photos provided by Philip W. Young, General Manager of the Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District.

A big dead whale washed up on Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove on Sunday.

Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District General Manager Philip Young told the Outpost via email that some people reported seeing the whale being attacked by sharks before it washed ashore.

“There are some reports that it was still alive when it washed ashore, others said it was attacked by sharks while in the water,” Young said. “The photos will reveal very few bite marks, and certainly none that are fatal, nor persistent bites on its pectorals and tail. Photos of the head reveal marks which could be ‘ulcers or body sores,’ an indication it might have been sick. Lastly, the vertebrae towards the tail as pronounced, indicating it might have been malnourished.  It’s body is already starting to bloat from internal decay.”