Killer whale dies 25 metres inland after being thrown into a Scottish field by Storm Caroline
Gale force winds earlier this month left the young orca stranded on the grassy shoreline of Shetland
A KILLER whale died in agony after it was thrown 25 metres inland by the force of Storm Caroline, a wildlife group believes.
Gale force winds earlier this month left the young orca stranded on a grassy shoreline in the Shetland islands.
It’s likely to have died of dehydration or been crushed by its own body weight after becoming stranded.
The three-metre long calf was discovered by a member of the public on the west coast of Shetland's main island.
According to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, the whale was likely separated from its mother and pod by the weather.
It reported the beaching to the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMAS) who have carried out a post-mortem.
A spokeswoman for the sanctuary said: "It's very sad. We think it was thrown up onto the shore during Storm Caroline while it was still alive. Although, it wasn't spotted until a week later by a member of the public.
"It appears to be around two or three years old and in good condition. We're waiting for the results of the autopsy but it appears to have died after being beached during the storm.
"There's not any breeding pods around the Scottish shorelines other than around Shetland and the Norway coastline. So it's very sad to see such a young male."
After they posted details of it on facebook, social media users told of their dismay.
Annie Davidson wrote: "Not another! Desperately tragic to lose another member of the pod, especially a youngster."
Charlee Butler said: "How awful to lose such a beautiful creature so young."
Alison Cramp commented: "Oh dear,it's sad to see these magnificent creatures dead or dying. Let's hope you find out why."
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