A dead dolphin was found on a beach last week.

The mammal was discovered on Heacham South Beach at around 3.45pm on Friday.

A medic from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was on scene and confirmed that it was a bottlenose dolphin.

The mammal was a bottle nose dolphin. Picture: Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team/Matt CurtisThe mammal was a bottle nose dolphin. Picture: Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team/Matt Curtis

The team made measurements and completed the necessary forms, as dolphins are a Fishes Royal – meaning they belong to the King.

The coastguard rescue team at Hunstanton was tasked to find and record the details of the discovery.

A spokesman for the coastguard crew said: “It was assumed that the tide would carry the carcass further along the coast, so coastguard tape was attached to it in order to prevent further call-outs for BDMLR and the coastguard to the same cetacean.”

The dead dolphin was found on Heacham beach. Picture: Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team/Matt CurtisThe dead dolphin was found on Heacham beach. Picture: Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team/Matt Curtis

Humber Control was informed and the team was stood down.

Over the past week, the coastguard team has also dealt with incidents involving a broken ankle at Old Hunstanton beach, a kite surfer in difficulty in Hunstanton, and a person experiencing chest pains at Holkham Gap.