Japan resumes commercial whaling after three-decade break
Japan has resumed commercial whaling after 31 years, meeting a long-cherished goal of traditionalists that is seen as a largely lost cause.
whales
Beach owners in US asked to allow whale carcasses to rot in peace
So many grey whales are dying off the US West Coast that scientists and volunteers dealing with the putrid carcasses have an urgent request for coastal residents.
Minke whale dies off Scottish coast after suspected fishing gear entanglement
A young whale has died after it became entangled in what are thought to have been creel lines off the north-west coast of Scotland.
Sir David Attenborough’s top cameraman brings tour to north-east
A wildlife cameraman whose skills behind the lens have been called the most special in the world by Sir David Attenborough will visit Aberdeen to inspire audiences with tales of filming the world’s most awe-inspiring animals.
Research suggests groups of humpback whales sing same song at one time – and only stop when it gets too complicated
Groups of humpback whales all sing the same song at any one time - and they keep singing it until it gets too complicated, according to new research by Scottish scientists.
Newborn sperm whale washes up in Western Isles
The relatively tiny body of a newborn sperm whale has washed up in the Western Isles, prompting researchers to believe females of the awe-inspiring species could be swimming in Scottish waters.
Four more whales wash up on shores across Shetland
Four deep water whales have washed up on various shores across Shetland over the last few weeks, raising concerns that they may be linked with the deaths of over 80 whales washed up on the west coast of Scotland and Ireland during August and September.
Safeguard isles hotspot teeming with cetaceans, say scientists
A conservation charity has called for greater protection for sea life off Scotland’s west coast after extensive and “pioneering” research that identified the area as a hot spot for whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Marine researchers shock as ‘unprecedented’ number of whale carcasses wash up on West Coast shores
Marine researchers have confirmed an “unprecedented” number of beaked whale deaths occurring off the west coast of Scotland.
A spate of whale strandings along Scotland’s west coast is being linked to the search for a Russian sub
A spate of whale and dolphin deaths along Scotland’s west coast is being linked to the hunt for a Russian submarine.
Mystery surrounds ‘largest number’ of recorded deep sea whale strandings on west coast of Scotland
Mystery surrounds the "largest number" of recorded deep sea whale strandings around the west coast of Scotland and Ireland.
Whale deaths along Scottish and Irish coasts may be linked to military ‘games’
The military should investigate why so many rare deep-diving whales are dying along the Scottish and Irish coasts, environmental campaigners have suggested.
Campaigners call for ban on electronic seal scarers at fish farms
Campaigners are calling for a ban on the use of electronic scarers to keep seals away from fish farms because of the harm they may be causing whales and dolphins.
Conservation centre on Moray Firth coast bans plastic bottle sales to help dolphins
A sealife charity based on the Moray Firth coast has stopped selling plastic bottles in an attempt to help the natural environment.
People in boats and on jet skis endangering marine life in Scottish waters
Dozens of dolphins, orcas and humpback whales have been disturbed or endangered in Scottish waters this summer by people in boats and on jet skis, it has been revealed.
Mass dolphin watch organised on Moray Firth coast to boost wildlife awareness
Wildlife enthusiasts in Moray have organised a weekend of whale and dolphin events to capitalise on a surge of interest in the majestic sea mammals.
Scottish creelers team up with conservationists in whale protection initiative
A Scottish project aimed at helping to stop whales and other marine animals getting tangled in fishing nets has been hailed as a winning partnership between fishers and conservationists.
VIDEO: See Antarctica as you have never seen it before – with a whale’s eye view
Researchers have attached cameras to humpback and minke whales in the Antarctic to understand their lives better – and the resulting videos are beautiful.
Shetland whale confirmed to be on holiday from Caribbean
A humpback whale from a breeding population in the eastern Caribbean sea has been recorded for the very first time in British waters.
Third humpback joins north-east ocean giants for whale of a time
A third humpback whale has been spotted feeding off the Moray coast.
Children spot dolphins off Moray coast
Crowds of youngsters gasped with delight yesterday while they watched dolphins staging a natural marine exhibition in the waves off the Moray coast.
Public asked to track dolphins and whales
Wildlife enthusiasts along the north-east coast are being asked to help conservationists track whale and dolphin activity as part of a scheme to keep the animals safe.
Aberdeen university finds high toxic metal levels in beached whales
Investigations led by the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, have shown that a pod of whales stranded in Fife in 2012 had high concentrations of toxic chemicals, some of which had reached the mammals’ brains.
IN PICTURES: Rescuers save giant humpback whale off north of Scotland
A giant humpback whale was saved by rescuers at the weekend after getting entangled in fishing ropes in a Sutherland loch.
PICTURES: Three whales die amid huge rescue operation on Skye
Three whales have died and 10 others are stranded off the Isle of Skye.
Volunteer dolphin watchers required in Aberdeen
Budding north-east wildlife experts will be shown how to spot some of the underwater world's most fascinating creatures at a special training day this weekend.
First Whale Week festival to be held on Mull
Humpback whales, orcas and bottlenose dolphins will do their bit for the economy of the Highlands and islands when the first Whale Week festival is held next week.
Orca whales make surprise visit to Buchan coast
A family of massive killer whales have delighted wildlife watchers by making a surprise appearance off the Buchan coast.