Beached whale dies despite rescue effort at Tyninghame
- Published
A pilot whale has died after becoming stranded on a beach in East Lothian.
The mammal was put to sleep by a vet after attempts to rescue it from the shore between Dunbar and North Berwick failed.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue centre and the Scottish SPCA were involved in trying to help the whale.
Its body has been taken from the beach at Tyninghame for a post-mortem examination at the Scottish Agricultural College.
Jo Hedley, the BDMLR coordinator for the Edinburgh region, said the whale was first sighted between 09:30 and 10:00 at Tyninghame beach.
She said the whale was on its side and unable to maintain its balance when righted.
Ms Hedley said: "I arrived at 13:00 to assess the whale. She was a 12ft female pilot whale.
"An initial attempt was made to refloat the whale as her condition did not appear to be worsening but she remained unable to maintain her balance and, as she was not in good condition, it was decided that euthanasia was the kindest option."