A minke whale found stranded near Montrose at the North Esk estuary has had to be humanely destroyed after efforts to refloat it failed.
Ian McKay, of Borrowfield Road, found the five-metre-long mammal while walking his dog.
The minke is commonly seen off the north-east coast at this time of year, but this one was marooned high up on a sandbank at the river estuary.
Concerned for the animal’s welfare, Mr McKay alerted marine mammal medics from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) organisation.
“We received the call mid morning and were on site within the hour,” said BDMLR regional co-ordinator Elaine Roft, from Brechin.
“It had washed ashore on the high tide between 2.30 and 3am.”
Rescuers were unsure whether the tide would be high enough to refloat the whale in the afternoon, but spent all day providing aid to the mammal, waiting for the water’s return.
Tay area co-ordinator Stewart Burns, from Dundee said, “We were very grateful to the local residents and the landowners for all their help and support, by allowing direct vehicular access to the whale and unlocking the secured gates.
“These situations are not easy to deal with.”
Vet Ian Anderson, from Robson and Partners in Laurencekirk, attended to help the BDMLR medics Ian Wallace, Stewart Burns and Paul Horne, and Mr McKay remained at the scene to give assistance.
“Initially the whale was thought to be maternally dependent,” said Mr Wallace.
“But once measured at just under five metres it was borderline.
“So after advice from our veterinary consultants around the UK it was decided to try a refloat at high tide, letting the animal go naturally, with a little guidance.
“Unfortunately it was struggling and having difficulty breathing and we decided it would be kinder to put the whale to sleep.
“This is never an easy decision and not the outcome we would have liked but the best for the whale given the circumstances and its condition.”
The Scottish Agricultural College has undertaken a post mortem.
On average, 45 whales and dolphins strand around the UK every year.
About 70% strand due to disease, illness and injury and cannot be refloated, while others strand due to navigational error or disturbance and, if healthy enough, can be returned to sea.