FOUR porpoise carcasses have been washed up on beaches in Kinmel Bay, Rhyl and Prestatyn.

The dead mammals were found in separate incidents across the coast on three different days.

The most recent sighting was reported on Sunday at about 1pm on the shore in Kinmel Bay.

Local resident Wendy Darbyshire told the Journal: "It looked like a baby but it was fully intact so probably hadn't been dead long.

"It was just opposite the derelict Bay View house, near the sand dunes, and initially I thought it might just be stranded.

"It was quite a shock and very upsetting to see it just floating there.

"I live by the sand dunes and I've never seen anything like this before."

Porpoises are sometimes mistaken for dolphins but the RSPCA has confirmed that the animal found at Kinmel Bay was a porpoise.

Porpoises are distinguished by the absence of elongated beaks, common to dolphins, and have triangular – rather than curved – dorsal fins.

The Journal was first contacted by an individual, who wished to remain anonymous, last Friday morning after what they thought was a dolphin had been found at Splash Point the day before.

Another porpoise found dead in Rhyl had been reported to the RSPCA last Wednesday and the Journal has also been told of a fourth carcass discovered in Prestatyn on the same day.

The RSPCA had not yet received reports from the public of the Kinmel Bay and Prestatyn incidents.

A spokesman for the charity said of the two dead porpoises reported to them: "The first porpoise was believed to have been dead for some time and had an injury to its face and was removed by the council.

"The second appeared to be in poor condition. The Wales Strandings Network were contacted for collection and are expected to carry out a post-mortem.

"The RSPCA works closely with the Network, who are part of the Cetacean Strandings Incident Programme (CSIP) who investigate these events to try and understand why they (the deaths) occur."

The RSPCA spokesman said they were currently unaware of the cause of the four deaths, adding: "Unfortunately, the RSPCA occasionally receives similar calls when marine mammals like porpoises have been stranded.

"Sometimes we are able to return them to sea when the conditions are right – such as at high tide – but there are instances where they are too unwell and sadly die on the beach.

"If anyone sees any animal in distress they can call the RSPCA’s advice and cruelty line on 0300 1234 999."