The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Newborn whale washes up in Western Isles
The relatively tiny body of a newborn sperm whale has washed up in the Western Isles, prompting researchers to believe females of the species could be swimming in Scottish waters.
Scientists working for the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) were called to South Uist this week after receiving reports of the “very rare stranding”. Working with volunteers, it was established the animal had died either before or during birth, as part of its umbilical chord was still attached.
At just 11ft, the neonatal carcass will provide scientists with important insight into the anatomy of infant sperm whales.
A spokesman for SMASS said: “The reason why this is so unusual is, while male sperm whales are known to do large migrations and are frequently visitors to the waters around the UK, female sperm whales usually remain in temperate waters mainly below 50 degrees latitude.
“There is only one confirmed report of a female sperm whale stranding on any of the British Isles – this was a juvenile that stranded in Cornwall in 2016. This case of a neonatal calf, found in reasonably fresh condition, suggests its mum must have been close to the coast of the Western Isles.
“This is a long way north from where these animals are thought to give birth.”
After carrying out their autopsy, the SMASS researchers believe the young whale never had the chance to take its first breath.
The spokesman added: “The lungs gave us some vital information – they sank like a rock in water, showing they had never been inflated and indicated that this animal had never taken a breath.”