Baby sperm whale dies

A rescue operation to save a baby sperm whale which lost its way in the Humber estuary ended in failure at the weekend. The animal became stuck in mud off Kilnsea in East Yorkshire.

Coastguard and lifeboat crews were scrambled but they were unable to reach the animal because of tidal conditions. As the five-hour rescue mission continued, the team had to return to shore for blankets and buckets to keep the mammal wet, but as they were about to set off towards the whale, the tide went out, making their journey impossible.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue arrived at the scene where they decided the only way to get to the whale was on foot from the shore. But the muddy bed of the River Humber meant the whole team had to get to their destination three-quarters of a mile away by crawling on their hands and knees. By the time they got to the whale, which usually lives in the North Sea, it had died.

Humber Coastguard said arrangements were being made for the whale's carcass to be disposed of, and that the Receiver of the Wreck and the Natural History Museum were being informed as required by law.

source: The Scotsman
photograph (c) Simon Drayton BDMLR