Holiday makers in Plettenberg Bay were treated to the unusual sight of a killer whale washing up on the beach over the weekend, although unfortunately the whale was already dead.

It is believed the juvenile whale could be the same one that beached itself on the Robberg Beach last week, and samples have been taken and sent to the Department of Environmental Affairs for research purposes. News24 reports:

That orca whale, approximately six metres in length, was found on the beach on Friday evening and members of the public had helped throw water on it to keep it wet, Lambinon said on Saturday.

That whale was believed to be the same whale that had been seen in Plettenberg Bay, swimming close inshore, a few days before.

A veterinarian arrived and efforts to get the whale back into the water began, but they were short-lived when the whale re-beached.

The rescue crew were then able to get the whale into deeper water and swam with it coaxing it into deeper water.

Here’s the whale found washed up this Sunday, the municipal cleansing department seen removing the body.

Always sad to see a story like this, although at least it didn’t end up dying in some crummy tank somewhere dancing for its dinner.

[source:news24]