Officials issue warning as huge toxic jellyfish washes up at tourist hotspot

Locals and tourists have been warned about a huge jellyfish washing up on the shores of a popular vacation hotspot.

If you've ever been stung by a jellyfish, you'll understand that it's a pain that you'll never want to experience again - although in fairness, the only time I have ever been stung was around 17 years ago when I was still a child... but at the time it was excruciating for me.

That was a small jellyfish, but as I ripped my arm away its tentacles came with it - and as 11-year-old me was screaming in pain, my dad wanted to alleviate my trauma by alleviating himself on my hand which would have ironically induced lasting trauma.

Fortunately, I turned down this invitation and opted to embrace the pain.

Lion's mane jellyfish can stretch up to 120ft in length, and pack an extremely painful sting (Getty Stock Image)

However, had that been a lion's mane jellyfish, I might have given my dad the green light. This is because they can reach lengths of up to 120ft - which to put into perspective, is four-fifths the size of the Statue of Liberty... but the actual Lady Liberty part of the monument.

While they aren't as big in mass as blue whales, the jellyfish can reach up to 12ft longer - that is, of course, due to their extremely long tentacles.

Now, officials at the City of South Portland, in Maine, have raised awareness of the fact that the large species had washed up on its shores.

Taking to Facebook, it posted: "Spotted this weekend at Willard Beach: A nearly 5-foot wide lion's mane jellyfish!

A huge 5ft wide lion's mane jellyfish has been spotted in Maine (Facebook/City of South Portland)

"If you see one, here's what to do: Don't touch it! They sting; Observe it. They're so interesting to watch, and pretty too; If you see one washed up at Willard Beach, notify a lifeguard and they will help it back into the water with a shovel."

The Wildlife Trust says the species can 'give a very nasty sting, so consult a doctor if swelling or weals are severe'.

There has been a spike in sightings in recent years, after senior research scientist Nicholas Record, of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, began tracking them in 2014.

Speaking to weather.com back in 2019, he explained how almost all the jellyfish sightings recorded in the area were lion's mane.

"In a typical year, the biggest ones that people would report are typically the size of a dinner plate, and this year, I’ve gotten several reports of some that are two feet and a couple that are five feet across," Record said.

"They’re generally a sub-Arctic species and they’re not new to the Gulf of Maine by any means. But the size and just the fact that they’re all we’re seeing this year is what makes it unique."