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01/08/2008
Race Against Time To Save Stranded Whale
A rescue operation is underway to save a six-tonne whale stranded on mudflats in Langstone Harbour.
Firefighters with mud rescue equipment and members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BMDLR) organisation have attended the scene at Hayling Island, Hampshire to save the stricken mammal.
The whale is thought to be a young adult and is said to be about 3,000 miles off course.
The BMDLR resumed their operation at first light after being forced to abandon their mission last night.
Rescue teams are attempting to move the whale on to its belly from lying on its side to prevent its internal organs being crushed.
However, the mammal has only been given a 40% chance of survival.
A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said the rescue team were hoping to get the whale into deeper water between 10.30 and 11am.
Stephen Marsh, a marine mammal medic with the BMDLR said the whale was a Northern Bottlenose whale.
"It's flapping it tail and moving its head, so it's still with us. It's a case of waiting until the tide rises to hopefully get it back into the water," he said.
Mr Marsh said rescuers may need to roll the mammal on to a mat and attach inflatable pontoons to either side as part of the rescue.
"As the tide come in, it lifts the whole contraption up, which gives us control of the whale," he said.
Steve Duff, of Hayling Coastguard, a member of the BMDLR said: "It's very ucommon for Chichester Harbour – this whale is used to swimming in much deeper water.
"Unfortunately, when these whales come into harbours it is usually for a reason, such as being ill," he added.
Fire crews are hosing down the 26ft long animal to stop it drying out.
Up to 30 people are thought to be involved in the rescue mission.
A Northern Bottlenose became stranded in the River Thames in January 2006.
(DS)(BMcC)
Firefighters with mud rescue equipment and members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BMDLR) organisation have attended the scene at Hayling Island, Hampshire to save the stricken mammal.
The whale is thought to be a young adult and is said to be about 3,000 miles off course.
The BMDLR resumed their operation at first light after being forced to abandon their mission last night.
Rescue teams are attempting to move the whale on to its belly from lying on its side to prevent its internal organs being crushed.
However, the mammal has only been given a 40% chance of survival.
A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said the rescue team were hoping to get the whale into deeper water between 10.30 and 11am.
Stephen Marsh, a marine mammal medic with the BMDLR said the whale was a Northern Bottlenose whale.
"It's flapping it tail and moving its head, so it's still with us. It's a case of waiting until the tide rises to hopefully get it back into the water," he said.
Mr Marsh said rescuers may need to roll the mammal on to a mat and attach inflatable pontoons to either side as part of the rescue.
"As the tide come in, it lifts the whole contraption up, which gives us control of the whale," he said.
Steve Duff, of Hayling Coastguard, a member of the BMDLR said: "It's very ucommon for Chichester Harbour – this whale is used to swimming in much deeper water.
"Unfortunately, when these whales come into harbours it is usually for a reason, such as being ill," he added.
Fire crews are hosing down the 26ft long animal to stop it drying out.
Up to 30 people are thought to be involved in the rescue mission.
A Northern Bottlenose became stranded in the River Thames in January 2006.
(DS)(BMcC)
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Rescue attempt launched for whale in the Thames
A rescue attempt has been launched after a rare whale was spotted in the Thames on Friday. The whale, which has been identified as a northern bottle-nosed whale, was spotted around 08:30am on Friday morning. It is the first time that this type of animal has been spotted in the Thames since 1913, when records began.
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Vets Called To Put Down Beached Whale
A rescue team have had to call in vets to put down a whale, stranded on a beach in East Lothian. The mammal rescue team who have been trying to save the beached whale have said that there is nothing more they can do. The 15ft pilot whale was found by the coastguard at North Berwick's east beach, near the harbour, at about 09:00 this morning.
Vets Called To Put Down Beached Whale
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Rescue Teams Find Body In Missing Tourist Hunt
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Rescue Teams Find Body In Missing Tourist Hunt
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23 January 2006
Animal welfare groups highlight whale plight
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Animal welfare groups highlight whale plight
Animal welfare groups are attempting to raise awareness of the plight of whales, following the death of a bottle-nose whale in the Thames at the weekend. The International Fund for Animal Welfare called for the "outpouring of emotion" over the death of the northern bottle-nose whale to be directed towards other whales.
01 September 2006
Rescued whale found dead in Skegness
A whale rescued by experts from the Lincolnshire coast has been found dead on a beach near Skegness. The whale, believed to be a northern bottlenose whale, was one of two whales found stranded on Thursday. The other whale died on Thursday afternoon, in spite of attempts to refloat them.
Rescued whale found dead in Skegness
A whale rescued by experts from the Lincolnshire coast has been found dead on a beach near Skegness. The whale, believed to be a northern bottlenose whale, was one of two whales found stranded on Thursday. The other whale died on Thursday afternoon, in spite of attempts to refloat them.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
