Deaths of deep-diving whales investigated
SMASS- Scientists have investigated the deaths of two deep-diving whales
- The Sowerby's beaked whales were found at Ardersier and Culbin on the Moray Firth last week
- Efforts were made to save the whale at Ardersier
- Scientists say the animals died due to their long time stranded
Scientists have investigated the deaths of two Sowerby's beaked whales after they stranded on beaches on the Moray Firth.
The whales are a deep-diving species, rarely seen at sea and can spend long periods underwater hunting squid and fish.
One of the two animals stranded at Ardersier, east of Inverness, and was found last Tuesday evening.
Efforts were made by British Divers Marine Life Rescue volunteers, coastguard personnel and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) vet Andrew Brownlow to save the whale.
The second whale was found last Wednesday, more than 20 miles (32km) away from the first at Culbin near Findhorn.
SMASS said an examination of this animal suggested it had also stranded alive the same day as the Ardersier whale.
It said both animals had died due to long times spent stranded, and had suffered organ damage.
Since last week's incidents, SMASS has investigated the deaths of three short-beaked common dolphins at Portree on Skye.
According to the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Sowerby's beaked whales were the first of beaked whale species to be discovered after a stranding in the Moray Firth in 1800.