ANOTHER dead dolphin has been found washed up on the Dorset coast.

Members of the public found the beached dolphin at Chesil Cove on Portland. The dead animal had a rope tied to its tail fin, the reason for which is unclear to experts at this time.

This finding follows a spate of dead dolphins that washed up on Dorset's shores over the winter months, including at Portland, Lulworth, Kimmeridge and West Bay.

Dorset Wildlife Trust is investigating the circumstances surrounding the dolphin's death.

DWT Communications Officer Sally Welbourn, said: "This stranding has been reported to the Natural History Museum, but it is unclear why there is rope tied onto the dolphin.

"It appears that this was done after the stranding occurred and it isn’t entanglement. It could have been done to drag the dolphin up the beach, so it isn’t lost to the tide. The recent storms we have had have could also be the reason for the stranding. We will continue to look into this with other local experts and the Natural History Museum."

Portland resident David Allen described the scene of finding the dolphin washed up on the beach. He and his family saw it while walking their dog, and his son took some pictures of the animal.

He said: "Myself and the children were out walking the dog. The fact it had that rope wrapped around its tail, we wondered whether it had been caught up in the rope. We sometimes see dead animals on the beach, but not normally things of that size."

Mr Allen added that it was especially unusual to find such an animal with the rope wrapped around its tail.

The Echo previously reported that three dead dolphins washed up upon the shore of Chesil Beach last month, and that scientists from the Natural History Museum in London were investigating the cause of death.

People who find beached marine mammals should report it to the Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620 or at kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Report marine mammals in distress to the coastguard on 999.