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Vets called to 'put down' beached whale in North Berwick Vets put down beached whale in North Berwick
(about 2 hours 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". Vets have been forced to put down a stranded whale in East Lothian after a huge rescue effort failed to save its life.
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 09:00.
The waves have been too strong for the whale to be refloated out to sea. The waves were 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. RNLI volunteers, who spent hours in freezing conditions keeping 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 volunteers were in dry suits trying to keep the whale upright so it could breathe as it was 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. The team were not able to wear gloves because they can damage whales.
Inflated pontoonsInflated 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 size of the surf today meant it was 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." "The team were in the water with the whale because they were trying to keep its blow hole clear of water so it could breathe."
He added: "They cannot wear gloves as it will damage the whale so its very cold out there for them. He added: "Putting it down was the fairest thing to do as nothing more could be done."
"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."