A fin whale trapped at the port of Baltimore in Co. Cork will be left to die this afternoon.

The 16-metre long mammal is believed to be an adolescent female.

She became stranded at low tide yesterday morning.

Hopes that she could be helped back to sea faded as it became clear that she was seriously malnourished.

It is said that she is also too large to give any euthanasia assistance to.

Padraig Whooley is from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

He says there is little hope for the dying animal.