UPDATE Feb. 5, 09:37 a.m. - The stranded whale has died despite rescue efforts to save it.
LONDON -- The coastguard and marine rescuers are working to save another sperm whale that's washed up alive on the sands at Hunstanton in Norfolk.
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team and the local council are working together to try and keep the whale alive. It's been doused with water while they assess the situation.
We're aware that another whale has become stranded on Hunstanton beach. We're involved in a multi-agency approach to assessing the situation— WestNorfolkBC (@WestNorfolkBC) February 4, 2016
The whale is reportedly just two miles east of the spot another whale became stranded and died on Jan. 22 and some 1.5 miles (2.4 km) out on the sand.
"It looks like the tide's on its way out and it's obviously got stranded not that long ago, poor thing," town councillor Kate Dunbar said, adding that she didn't think it "stood much of a chance."
So sad to see another Whale washed up on the beach at the bottom of our garden #hunstanton pic.twitter.com/voVRc1gyUq— Le Strange Arms (@LeStrangeArms) February 4, 2016
Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod told the BBC that the whale, which is breathing but not moving much, is likely to be "very distressed."
"These are are highly sociable and highly intelligent animals, and it will be very distressed right now," he said. "The moment they start beaching their bodies go into shutdown to support their organs and cardiovascular system."
"There's no evidence so far that it's pollution or boat strikes, and there's no parasite load on these things... whales get washed up, it's a very cruel part of nature."
The UK Coastguard said it's cordoned off the whale and is advising people to keep a safe distance from the "very distressing scene."
Second whale beaches itself at Hunstanton Beach.
More here; https://t.co/ectiJgqOLW pic.twitter.com/N3XO6rKYqV— Maritime&Coastguard (@MCA_media) February 4, 2016
Teams at the beach are hoping to re-float the whale at high tide this afternoon but are not holding out much hope.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) has reportedly admitted that the whale probably won't make it. Stephen Marsh, BDMLR's operations manager, said that "it's unlikely to survive."
"The tide may well lift it but we don't think it would survive another stranding if it came back in," he added. "There's nothing we can do, it's likely to be between 25-30 tonnes. We can't lift it, we can't roll it, the vets can't put it out of its misery."
"The body will be breaking down and releasing toxins, causing organ failure. It's a very sad case but we will have to let nature take its course."
In January, five sperm whales washed up dead in the region. Hundreds of people flocked to see them and two were subjected to anti-nuclear graffiti.