Cetacean experts in Pembrokeshire are asking members of the public to keep their eyes open for strandings after three dead dolphins were washed up on the coast of Pembrokeshire in just three days.

A juvenile common dolphin was washed up on Whitesands on Tuesday October 28th. The animal's jaw was smashed at the tip and it had gaping wounds below the dorsal fin and the base of the tail.

Two days earlier a dead common dolphin was washed up on Marloes. The same day an unidentified cetacean, again believed to be a common dolphin, was removed from Manorbier by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Whitesands dolphin was reported to Pembrokeshire College lecturer Powell Strong. Along with Cliff Benson from Sea Trust he dragged the animal above the tideline and it was later removed by Welsh Marine Strandings Coordinator, Rod Penrose.

The dolphin will now be sent for a post mortem to try to ascertain if its injuries were what caused its death or if they were caused after it died.

"This dolphin had a smashed beak which is a common injury found in animals that have been caught in fishing nets," said Rod Penrose.

"It is possible that this is the start of the by catch season for common dolphins. They usually turn up in large numbers in Cornwall but this hasn't happened yet this year. With strong south westerly winds some carcasses will miss Cornwall and end up in Pembrokeshire.

"We don't know yet if this has been the case but I don't there is anything unusual."

Anyone finding a stranded cetacean, dead or alive, is asked to contact Rod Penrose on 01348 875000 or Sea Trust on 01348 875639.

"We are always interested to hear about cetacean sightings or strandings," said Cliff Benson, "particularly after the mass stranding of common dolphins in Cornwall during the summer which appears to have been caused by naval operations.

"Three dead animals in a weekend is a lot after going weeks and weeks without any."