Local resident Kailem Strickland said he discovered the animal while walking his dog along the shore near Biggar Bank at around 3pm on Tuesday, November 4.
He later shared a post in a local Facebook group asking for guidance on who to contact to report the discovery.
The post drew numerous responses from local residents and marine life enthusiasts who expressed concern and shared advice on how to correctly log such incidents.
Several people tagged organisations involved in recording marine strandings while others highlighted the importance of public reports in supporting conservation and research.
A spokesperson for Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) includes seals as well as whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
The deceased seal that was found washed up at Biggar Bank (Image: Kailem Strickland)
“If you find a dead seal (or cetacean) on the UK coastline, please report it to the CSIP team on 0800 652 0333. When reporting, try to include the exact location (GPS if possible), date, species (if known), estimated size or length, and photos.
“Reporting helps research and conservation work on the health of marine mammals. If you see a live cetacean or seal in distress, report it to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.”
Sarah Neill, a lecturer at Kendal College, also commented on the post and encouraged residents to share sightings or strandings with the Cumbria Whale and Dolphin Watch Facebook page, which collects data for the Sea Watch Foundation and CSIP. She said public reports help researchers monitor the health of marine ecosystems across the north-west coast.
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Cumbria Wildlife Trust said the public should never attempt to move or touch a dead marine animal but instead report it to the appropriate organisation so it can be safely recorded and, if necessary, collected for examination.
A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “The Council has been made aware of a deceased seal found at Biggar Bank in Walney and has been in contact with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The Council has made arrangements for the seal to be removed from the site in the coming days.”