only two days after a young sperm whale was pulled ashore.

While six people were trying to pull the carcass of the 30-foot whale onto the beach at Nonsuch Island, another whale sighting was reported off Challenger Banks.

And the deaths of the two whales will cause concern to scientists who believe the species faces extinction in the next decade.

The first whale was seen on Tuesday in Challenger Banks by fishermen who were finding rich pickings of fish attracted to the rotting body.

When the whale got too close to Pompano Beach, staff from the Fisheries Department and the Aquarium towed it to Nonsuch Island.

Government conservation officer Mr. David Wingate said the idea was to pull the body out of the water and remove any excess meat or sinews from the skeleton so it may be exhibited at the Aquarium.

The team were cutting meat from the bones while the carcass was still in the water today.

Mr. Wingate said the process of removing the meat completely and bleaching the bones could take years and would depend on nature.

He said: "This is going to be a boost for crabs, beetles, crows and gulls who will have all this meat to eat for some time.'' He said the body was too deteriorated to carry out an autopsy and find the cause of death.

Plans to leave the body until it is ready for the Aquarium may now change with the discovery of the second whale.

It could lead to more complete investigation into how both beasts died and fears of possible disease.

WHALEBONE MYSTERY -- Government conservation officer Mr. David Wingate and Fisheries Department assistant conservation officer, Mr. Peter Da Silva study the lower jawbone of the dead whale.