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Vets called to 'put down' beached whale in North Berwick | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A mammal rescue team who have been trying to save a beached whale in East Lothian have said they have called vets to have it "put down". | |
The 15ft (4.5m) pilot whale was found by the coastguard at North Berwick's east beach, near the harbour, at about 09:00. | The 15ft (4.5m) pilot whale was found by the coastguard at North Berwick's east beach, near the harbour, at about 09:00. |
The waves have been too strong for the whale to be refloated out to sea. | |
RNLI volunteers, who have been trying to keep its blow hole clear of water, said nothing more could be done. | |
The volunteers in dry suits trying to keep the whale upright so it can breathe as it is lying in the surf. | |
The team, who are in the water without gloves because they can damage the mammal, are still with the whale waiting for the vets to arrive. | |
Inflated pontoons | |
John McCarter, a North Berwick Lifeboat crew member, told the BBC Scotland news website: "This is the first time we have had a whale stranded in North Berwick for a while. | John McCarter, a North Berwick Lifeboat crew member, told the BBC Scotland news website: "This is the first time we have had a whale stranded in North Berwick for a while. |
"The size of the surf today means it is impossible to get inflated pontoons out, which is what we would normally do to refloat a whale. | |
"The team are in the water with the whale because they are trying to keep its blow hole clear of water so it can breathe." | |
He added: "They cannot wear gloves as it will damage the whale so its very cold out there for them. | He added: "They cannot wear gloves as it will damage the whale so its very cold out there for them. |
"Its tail is flapping around and a vet is on his way so it can be put down as it is the fairest thing to do as nothing more can be done." |