Sowerby's beaked whale and calf strand on remote Scottish Island
September 2013. Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, has reported that a rarely-seen Sowerby's beaked whale and calf became stranded in the shallow waters of Village Bay, Hirta (St Kilda) last week.
Sad end
The 5m long adult female and 1.5m long calf were seen in distress just before 11am on Thursday 12 September. Staff from the National Trust for Scotland and QinetiQ immediately attempted to refloat the animals but, despite their quick response and strenuous efforts, were unable to successfully move the mother before it passed away. The calf freed itself without assistance and was last seen swimming out to open water. It is, however, unlikely to survive without its mother, which was still lactating.
Sowerby's beaked whale
The Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) is a rarely-seen whale about which very little is known. It is small (about 5m long) with males slightly larger than females, they have a rounded melon (forehead), and slender long beak. Only the adult males have erupted teeth or tusks in this species half way along the lower jaw. The female's teeth do not erupt.
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