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Pilot whale carcass removal begins on Fife coast 'Critical time' for refloated Fife pilot whales
(35 minutes later)
Efforts to remove the carcasses of 17 pilot whales which stranded on the coast of Fife have got under way. A group of pilot whales believed to be those refloated at a Fife beach have been seen between North and South Queensferry.
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. Sixteen whales died when they became stranded between Anstruther and Pittenweem on Sunday. Another was found dead on Monday off the Port of Leith.
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. 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.
The operation to remove the dead whales could take until Tuesday. Tests are being carrying out on the carcasses. 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 calvesThree 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.
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.