Storms behind rise in reports of dead sea animals

Storms that have battered the Angus coastline caused a spike in the number of dead sea animals, according to an environmental group.

Gareth Norman founded and leads Shanwell Marine Animal Rescue team, and said they had received 50% more call-outs than usual over recent months.

Many of the incidents have been in Angus, and two team members went to Easthaven last week after a dead porpoise was reported.

The team also attended Monifieth beach after a dead seal was discovered two weeks ago.

Mr Norman, 52, said the team had received “five or six” more calls than their usual dozen between September and December 25.

Many of the calls had come from around Arbroath, as well as Kingsbarns in Fife.

“We think the increase over the last few weeks was down to the storms,” he said.

“The unfortunate thing is it’s grey seal pupping season at the moment. With the storms, a lot of pups could have become separated from their mothers.

“The pups actually can’t swim at birth. They’re normally born in sheltered coves or something similar.”

The team cover the coastline from Montrose to Kincardine in Fife.