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Pilot whale carcass removal begins on Fife coast | Pilot whale carcass removal begins on Fife coast |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Efforts to remove the carcasses of 17 pilot whales which stranded on the coast of Fife have got under way. | Efforts to remove the carcasses of 17 pilot whales which stranded on the coast of Fife have got under way. |
The mammals are lying at the foot of cliffs between Anstruther and Pittenweem. A further 10 were saved by rescuers by being refloated on Sunday. | The mammals are lying at the foot of cliffs between Anstruther and Pittenweem. A further 10 were saved by rescuers by being refloated on Sunday. |
Another dead whale was found on Monday off the Port of Leith. The refloated whales were seen near Deep Sea World in North Queensferry at 15:00. | |
It is hoped the pod is now heading back out to sea. | |
The operation to remove the dead whales could take until Tuesday. Tests are being carrying out on the carcasses. | The operation to remove the dead whales could take until Tuesday. Tests are being carrying out on the carcasses. |
A further 24 pilot whales, thought to be from the same pod, were spotted in shallow water about three miles away at Cellardyke. | A further 24 pilot whales, thought to be from the same pod, were spotted in shallow water about three miles away at Cellardyke. |
They have been monitored for signs that they are in danger of stranding. | They have been monitored for signs that they are in danger of stranding. |
The whales were refloated on Sunday after being kept alive by vets from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue. | The whales were refloated on Sunday after being kept alive by vets from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue. |
The incident involved pilot whales, approximately 20ft (6m) long. | The incident involved pilot whales, approximately 20ft (6m) long. |
Bob McLellan, Fife Council's head of transport and environmental services, said: "This is an incredibly awkward site as we have no direct road access and the whales are lying at the bottom of a cliff. | Bob McLellan, Fife Council's head of transport and environmental services, said: "This is an incredibly awkward site as we have no direct road access and the whales are lying at the bottom of a cliff. |
"However to move them out to sea would be problematic due to the tides. | "However to move them out to sea would be problematic due to the tides. |
"Arrangements are now in place to winch the whales up the cliff face into specially lined skips. A specialist contractor will then deal with the disposal of the mammals. | "Arrangements are now in place to winch the whales up the cliff face into specially lined skips. A specialist contractor will then deal with the disposal of the mammals. |
"We're working with Sepa, the State Veterinary Service, the Coastguard and contractors to get the situation dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible." | "We're working with Sepa, the State Veterinary Service, the Coastguard and contractors to get the situation dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible." |
Three calves | Three calves |
Patrols have been taking place at sea and volunteers have been walking along the coastline to check no whales have become stranded again. | Patrols have been taking place at sea and volunteers have been walking along the coastline to check no whales have become stranded again. |
Efforts will also take place to establish what caused the pod to become stranded, with vets hoping to perform post-mortem examinations on some of the dead animals. | Efforts will also take place to establish what caused the pod to become stranded, with vets hoping to perform post-mortem examinations on some of the dead animals. |
Forth coastguard were alerted to the incident at about 07:00 BST on Sunday. | Forth coastguard were alerted to the incident at about 07:00 BST on Sunday. |
Three of the whales that died were calves. | Three of the whales that died were calves. |
The incident drew a large number of bystanders to the scene, prompting the coastguard to urge the public to stay away to allow rescue teams to carry out their duties. | The incident drew a large number of bystanders to the scene, prompting the coastguard to urge the public to stay away to allow rescue teams to carry out their duties. |
Coastguard teams from St Andrews and Leven, Anstruther lifeboat, and Fife Police assisted with the incident. | Coastguard teams from St Andrews and Leven, Anstruther lifeboat, and Fife Police assisted with the incident. |