Photo: Matt Curtis
On Sunday 11 August BDMLR received reports of a pilot whale at Snettisham beach (Norfolk) stranded on a sand bank before freeing itself. A group of paddleboarders and kayakers also attempted to guide the whale north with limited success, leaving the animal in shallow water around half a mile out from the shore. At this point contact with the animal was lost.
On Monday 12 August the whale was seen again, stranded, in the same location. Medics in Norfolk attended although on arrival, the whale (a juvenile, female, long-finned pilot whale), was found to be in shallow water but not stranded. With no action possible due to the state of the tide, Medics monitored her throughout the day until early afternoon when she became stranded again on an inaccessible sand bank. Upon reaching the whale it was clear her condition was very poor, with euthanasia being the kindest and most humane option. However, she sadly passed away before a vet arrived.
We would like to extend our thanks to HM Coastguard, RSPCA, Snettisham Sailing Club and of course our Medics in Norfolk.
