giant mammal dies after becoming trapped in shallows in moray firth
Agonising end for stranded sperm whale
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A 40ft whale, stranded in the Moray Firth, suffered a long and agonising death last night after becoming beached a few miles from Inverness.
Rescuers and helpers could only watch helplessly, as they did not have the equipment to put the distressed animal out of its misery.
The massive sperm whale has been trapped in the shallow waters of the Moray Firth for more than a day.
It could be seen thrashing around 30ft from the shore after it beached at Alturlie near Inverness after 2pm, just before high tide. Despite rising waters, it was unable to escape. It was officially declared dead at 6.30pm.
Coastguards were last night standing guard to prevent members of the public from trying to get close. A spokesman said the mammal had 50 ivory teeth on its lower jaw, each measuring 20 inches and they feared people would try to take them as souvenirs. A number did try to get close last night and were warned off because of the risk of disease.
The whale is now Crown property. A representative of the Scottish Agricultural College is due to inspect it tomorrow. He will take samples of blubber and blood to check for disease and parasites. He will be able to determine the animal’s age from its teeth.
Responsibility for disposing of the carcase now rests with Highland Council’s environmental health service.
Representative John Lee arrived late last night and will be meeting the various agencies this morning to discuss how best to deal with it.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society had hoped it would swim along a deep channel between Chanonry Point and Fort George. The WDCS also used Skywatch – an aerial survey team – to monitor it through the day.
Kirsty Sharratt of the WDCS said: “There's always a chance with deep-sea mammals in this area. We hoped for a happy ending. It is an incredibly sad time for us. I have never seen a sperm whale and I hoped when I did see one it would be in happier circumstances than this.”
The mammals are more commonly found in deeper waters, where their usual prey – the squid – is found.
WDCS dolphin field officer Charlie Phillips added: “This marvellous animal is a long way from home.”
Dozens of people gathered on the beach last night to watch as the waters receded and more of the creature was revealed. The line of parked cars stretched back a mile.
One sightseer even flew over the scene by hang glider.
Jessie MacLennan said she called the police after seeing the whale close to shore at 2pm. Mrs MacLennan, who was visiting her 96-year-old mother, Jessie Mackenzie, at her Alturlie cottage, said: “I have been watching the whale and saw it coming nearer.
“Then it became stationary at about 2pm. I can't believe that something so big could be in our waters.”
Linda Nicholson, of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said nothing could be done to help the massive creature.
She said it was too dangerous for people to approach the whale in the water because it was thrashing around.
“If it was a smaller whale and if it was healthier, we could have attempted to do something.
“It is extremely frustrating and heartbreaking to watch.”
The day started positively with sightings of the whale swimming on the south shore of the firth between Ardersier and Inverness.
Hundreds of people gathered at Chanonry Point, Fortrose, from early on in the day, hoping for a glimpse.
Among them was Peter James, of Chanonry Crescent, Fortrose, who has been watching marine life at Chanonry Point for 10 years.
He said: “I have seen sperm whales in the Antarctic but never anywhere else.”
Zoology graduates Jennifer Dickson, 22, of Newcastle and Helen Chance, 21, of Easter Balmungie, Eathie, were using a telescope to follow the whale's movements in the firth. Miss Dickson said: “I don't think many people will get the chance to see a sperm whale.”
