This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-17596474
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Vets put down beached whale in North Berwick | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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 09:00. | |
The waves were too strong for the whale to be refloated out to sea. | |
RNLI volunteers, who spent hours in freezing conditions keeping its blow hole clear of water, said nothing more could be done. | |
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 were not able to wear gloves because they can damage whales. | |
Inflated pontoons | 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 meant it was impossible to get inflated pontoons out, which is what we would normally do to refloat a whale. | |
"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: "Putting it down was the fairest thing to do as nothing more could be done." | |