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'Critical time' for refloated Fife pilot whales | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A group of pilot whales believed to be those refloated at a Fife beach have been seen between North and South Queensferry. | |
Sixteen whales died when they became stranded between Anstruther and Pittenweem on Sunday. Another was found dead on Monday off the Port of Leith. | |
The refloated whales were seen near Deep Sea World at 15:00. | |
Marine rescuers said the next few hours would be critical in determining whether they become stranded again. | |
It is hoped the pod is now heading back out to sea. | It is hoped the pod is now heading back out to sea. |
British Divers and Marine Life Rescue said low tide, due at 22:50, would be a critical time for the whales. | |
Meanwhile efforts are under way to remove the carcasses of the 17 dead pilot whales. | |
The operation 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. |
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. |