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Stranded whale freed from river | Stranded whale freed from river |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A stranded whale was rescued when about 20 people launched an operation to coax it back out to sea. | A stranded whale was rescued when about 20 people launched an operation to coax it back out to sea. |
The 15ft mammal, believed to be a minke whale, was trapped on mudflats on the Forth Estuary near Limekilns, Fife. | |
A member of the public spotted the stricken mammal and alerted the coastguard - who used lights to help with the rescue effort. | A member of the public spotted the stricken mammal and alerted the coastguard - who used lights to help with the rescue effort. |
When the lamps were shone on the creature, he appeared to roll off the mud banks and swam out to sea. | When the lamps were shone on the creature, he appeared to roll off the mud banks and swam out to sea. |
His release came at about midnight on Monday - after more than two hours of frantic work by volunteers to save the whale. | His release came at about midnight on Monday - after more than two hours of frantic work by volunteers to save the whale. |
Marine rescuers, vets, divers and the Queensferry lifeboat were involved in the operation, which was watched by about 60 anxious residents and passers-by. | Marine rescuers, vets, divers and the Queensferry lifeboat were involved in the operation, which was watched by about 60 anxious residents and passers-by. |
A coastguard spokesman said: "We had static lights and we were illuminating the area. It just turned round and swam away. | A coastguard spokesman said: "We had static lights and we were illuminating the area. It just turned round and swam away. |
"I don't know if it got scared of the lights or if it just got its strength back." | "I don't know if it got scared of the lights or if it just got its strength back." |
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