Home / Environment / Pilot Whales Die After Distress Call Off Coast
Pilot Whales Die After Distress Call Off Coast
21 Sep
Summary
- Around 40 whales were spotted behaving distressingly near Amble.
- Rescue attempts were thwarted by tides and loss of light.
- Two of six stranded whales on Coquet Island confirmed dead.
A pod of about 40 pilot whales was observed exhibiting distressed behavior near Amble on the Northumberland coast on Sunday. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was alerted around 15:00 BST. Efforts to guide the whales offshore were unsuccessful due to tidal conditions and the animals' tight formation around a motionless individual. Rescue teams withdrew as light failed.
On Monday morning, approximately a dozen whales were found stranded on Coquet Island. A subsequent investigation revealed six animals, five ashore and one afloat. Tragically, two of the stranded whales were confirmed dead. Rescue attempts for the remaining live animals were not feasible due to tides and limited access to the island, leading to the withdrawal of teams.
The BDMLR stated they would remain positioned along the coast, prepared to provide care and assist any healthy whales. The RSPB confirmed their staff were supporting the BDMLR's ongoing response to the distressing incident.
