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| Gilbert the whale 'looking good' | Gilbert the whale 'looking good' |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Conservationists have said the "signs are positive" for the survival of a 30ft (9m) whale swimming off Dorset. | |
| The northern bottlenose, which has been named Gilbert after an RNLI lifeguard who spotted him, has been seen around Bournemouth Pier and in Poole Bay. | The northern bottlenose, which has been named Gilbert after an RNLI lifeguard who spotted him, has been seen around Bournemouth Pier and in Poole Bay. |
| A full health assessment has yet to be carried out but the vital signs, including his breathing, appeared good. | A full health assessment has yet to be carried out but the vital signs, including his breathing, appeared good. |
| Rescuers said it was "unusual" to see a whale seemingly happy to stay so close to shore in an area its not used to. | Rescuers said it was "unusual" to see a whale seemingly happy to stay so close to shore in an area its not used to. |
| It had been feared the mammal may become dehydrated feeding on small fish in the area, rather than its usual diet of squid, as it gets water from food. | It had been feared the mammal may become dehydrated feeding on small fish in the area, rather than its usual diet of squid, as it gets water from food. |
| 'Perfectly happy' | 'Perfectly happy' |
| Trevor Weekes, from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), said: "In these situations usually the whales quickly deteriorate before beaching or getting stranded. | Trevor Weekes, from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), said: "In these situations usually the whales quickly deteriorate before beaching or getting stranded. |
| "But this is a very unusual case where Gilbert seems perfectly happy swimming and feeding so close to shore. | "But this is a very unusual case where Gilbert seems perfectly happy swimming and feeding so close to shore. |
| "We have yet to inspect him closely but the signs are positive. | "We have yet to inspect him closely but the signs are positive. |
| "His breathing seems strong and he appears to be feeding well." | "His breathing seems strong and he appears to be feeding well." |
| Mr Weekes admitted it is impossible to coax Gilbert out to the English Channel in his current position and the hope is he will leave on his own accord. | Mr Weekes admitted it is impossible to coax Gilbert out to the English Channel in his current position and the hope is he will leave on his own accord. |
| RNLI lifeguard Nick "Gilbert" Smith spotted the whale during a patrol a few days ago. | RNLI lifeguard Nick "Gilbert" Smith spotted the whale during a patrol a few days ago. |
| Rescuers have praised sailors for not taking boats too near to Gilbert but said anyone is welcome to observe the mammal from the shore. | Rescuers have praised sailors for not taking boats too near to Gilbert but said anyone is welcome to observe the mammal from the shore. |