Dead dolphin found washed up on beach on Hayling Island

Portsmouth resident Steffen Tauchnitz was walking along the beach near the funfair after visiting the car boot sale on Wednesday morning (March 11) when he spotted the mammal.

Steffen, originally from Saxony in Germany, said: ‘I was just strolling around, talking to the stallholders and in search for some coastal photographs I spotted the dolphin.

A sad and fascinating experience as this was my first close encounter with a dolphin. I really wished it would have been still alive but I took some photographs to record this unusual event.

‘A short time after this, the dolphin was removed. I am originally from Saxony and have been living in the Portsmouth area for many years and the coastline never fails to surprise me.’

The dolphin has been removed by the council and taken for burial.

A spokeswoman from Havant Borough Council said: ‘A report of a dead dolphin was received. Following protocol, it was reported to the Marine Coastguard Agency and Marine Management Organisation, who stated they did not wish to carry out any investigations.

‘The MCAMMO requested that we arrange the disposal of the remains. It was taken to an approved undisclosed site for burial.’