YOUNG Whale Found Dead On Cowal Beach
A NORTHERN bottlenose whale — believed to be from the pod that has been in the Firth of Clyde for some weeks — has been found dead.
The creature was discovered on the beach at Blairmore on the Cowal Peninsula on Sunday.
Northern bottlenose whales have been in the Gareloch for nearly two months and even spent an evening in a harbour at Greenock in August. An attempt to move them at the end of September failed.
Catriona MacIntyre, who is a vet with Bute and Cowal Vets and a member of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, attended to help at and observe the post-mortem examination.
She wrote on the Bute and Cowal Vets Facebook page: “It’s a very sad thing to watch, but also fascinating to learn more about these remarkable animals. The whale was in relatively good condition, and appeared to have died on the beach, rather than out at sea.
“The stomach was completely empty, which is not entirely surprising, as this species belongs far out at sea, where they feed on squid.
“This young whale is thought to have been part of a group of northern bottlenose Whales which have been in the area for the last seven weeks.
“Volunteeers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue continue to monitor the remaining whales, with help from boat owners and Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team.”
The whale was moved to Strone Pier for the post-mortem examination which was conducted by staff from Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme and National Museums Scotland, with the skeleton and internal organs being removed to Edinburgh for further study.
