| A far-travelled killer whale has spent the last few days cruising the Forth snacking on the estuary’s seal population (writes Stewart Ross).
Fife Constabualry were alerted by maintenance men working on the rail bridge, who were concerned that, should they fall, the Orca would eat them.
“Evidently one of the crew of a safety boat got within five metres of the whale,” said wildlife liaison officer Mark Maylan.
“They say they have actually seen it swimming about and eating the seals.
“It was last seen this afternoon off Hound Point (near Dalmeny) and there has been a noticeable drop in the seal population recently.”
PC Maylan, who is in contact with the SSPCA, said the whale would only become an issue if it were to fall ill and run ground.
He did, however, advise people not to take to the water in an effort to glimpse the animal.
Natalie Smart of the SSPCA said, “We’re interested in finding out more about this whale. If it is sick or injured we would co-ordinate a rescue operation but if it’s all right we would urge people to leave it alone and it’ll probably move off in its own time.”
Natalie added that for an Orca to be in the Forth was “very unusual” and said she could not rule out a global-warning connection.
Orcas are sociable and usually travel in groups. Although not unknown off the Scottish coast, they are rare but are not regarded as a threat to humans. |
