A killer whale found washed up dead on the island of Tiree had one of the highest levels ever recorded of banned toxic chemicals in her blubber, a study has found.
The whale, which was well known to conservationists and had been given the name Lulu, had polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at 100 times the level above which there are health effects on marine mammals.
Lulu died after she became entangled in fishing ropes but scientists believe the PCBs may have contributed to her death by weakening her.
Tests on Lulu’s ovaries revealed she had never reproduced despite being at least 20 years old. PCBs are known to cause miscarriages or the death of newborn mammals.
Lulu’s death leaves just eight members remaining of the only