Walker finds dead whale washed up on beach

PUBLIC WARNED TO STAY AWAY BECAUSE OF DISEASE RISK

By Shona Gossip

Published:

A 30ft sperm whale was found dead on an Aberdeenshire beach yesterday afternoon.

A walker on Balmedie beach reported the stranded mammal to Aberdeen Coastguard and the Scottish SPCA about 12.20pm, but wildlife officers were unable to do anything to save it.

Last night, a Coastguard spokesman said: “The sperm whale is at the end of Balmedie beach closest to the car park.

“We got a call reporting a stranded whale, but it looks like the whale was already dead before it was washed up.”

Scottish SPCA Inspector John Carle added: “SPCA officers attended the scene but unfortunately found it (the whale) had died.

“Until there is a post-mortem examination, it will not be possible to say what happened to the whale.”

Sperm whales are a common feature of the North Sea but can become stranded when they move south into shallower waters.

Once they have beached, they can become dehydrated and die, or drown when high tides cover their blowholes.

Last night the Coastguard spokesman warned the public not to approach the dead whale because of the high risk of it carrying a disease.

It is understood that the animal is unlikely to be removed from the beach until Monday.

A team of staff from Aberdeenshire Council was guarding the carcase and urged the public not to visit the area.

A spokeswoman said: “Aberdeenshire Council is to erect a fence and warning signs as a temporary measure while a plan for the disposal of the whale is arranged.”

Police confirmed that they had received reports about the incident, and would be sending patrols to the area over the weekend to ensure nobody approached the animal.