Mass whale stranding highlights need for local resources
11 June 2015
An appeal for volunteers to train as medics and help out at whale stranding made after a mass beaching at Skye.
A pod in the Minch appeared to have followed a distressed female into shore.
In total 21 whales had beached including a pregnant female was having difficulties giving birth and most probably the reason for the group getting into difficulty.
her calf died and the decision was made to euthenise the female as she was not going to survive and was suffering.
Most of the others were refloated but 14 stranded again nearby. Ten were eventually returned to sea.
Noel Hawkins, the co-
"Sadly, we have been trying to promote the fact that the west coast of Scotland is under manned and short of resources to deal with such a situation.
"Whilst not the desired means of promoting the fact, I hope people will listen now and consider attending training courses and help fund equipment for the region so that time is not spent waiting for kit from as far away as Edinburgh and Dundee."
Mr Hawkins added: "The Highlands are famous for wildlife and nature so we owe it to animals in our area to be able to assist them when they get into difficulties.
"We will be looking to arrange courses on the west coast and Skye over the next few months and also having charity drives to fund kit such as whale pontoons that will be kept locally so as to save essential time in such a situation.
"This will not be easy as whale pontoons cost thousands of pounds and BDMLR is a charity made up of unpaid volunteers.
"I hope people in the Highlands, especially those that make a living from wildlife and nature, can see what we are trying to achieve and why and can maybe help even in any small way. The question to ask is not if this will this happen again, but when. I hope we can be better prepared and ready in future.”
Further information about BDMLR and what to do if you discover a stranded whale, dolphin or seal can be found at www.bdmlr.org.uk.
Sky and Wester Ross BDMLR are on facebook at ‘BDMLR Skye & Wester Ross’ where interested people can find out more about local news, training courses and funding.
