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Rescue team scrambled to beached whale in North Berwick Vets called to 'put down' beached whale in North Berwick
(about 1 hour later)
A mammal rescue team is being scrambled to East Lothian in a bid to save a beached whale. 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 RNLI also has volunteers in dry suits trying to keep the whale upright so it can breath as it is lying in the surf. The waves have been too strong for the whale to be refloated out to sea.
The team are in the water without gloves because they can damage whales. 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.
"It is in the surf and the waves are pretty strong today so its going to be very difficult to refloat it. "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 breath." "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 in case we have to put it down if we cannot refloat it." "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."