Dead sperm whale washes up near Frenchman's Cove

The carcass of asperm whale has washed up on a beach near the town of Humber Arm South on Newfoundland's west coast.

On Thursday, the whale could be seen nearFrenchman's Cove.

The carcass is swollenand guts could be seen spewing out of the water.

Because the mammal washed up within HumberArm South's town limits, the community is responsible for disposing of the whale.

Officersfrom the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa said while they don't know how the whaledied,deathsare a "natural occurrence within the marine ecosystem."

The DFOtook pictures and samples of the whale, andisadvisingthe public to avoid making physical contact with the carcass because of the possibility of disease transmission or injury.

HumberArm South Mayor GlennSavardalso has concerns about safety, especially if the carcass drifts back into the ocean and affects April's lobster fishing season.

It's still unclear how and when the town will be able to remove the whale.