Sadness as experts can't save beached pygmy whale calf

A RARE baby whale was discovered on an Anglesey beach.

- By DAVID POWELL

The pygmy whale was stranded alive on Trearddur Bay.

Experts were called in to try to save its life but their strenuous efforts last week were sadly in vain. A decision was taken to euthanise the whale to end its suffering.

In a separate incident at the weekend, the body of a porpoise was found on Llanddwyn beach, also on the island. It had been there for some time.

The whale was believed to have been spotted by a member of the public on Thursday at 6.40pm. An HM Coastguard spokesman said today: "It was a really rare, pygmy sperm whale.

"It was alive when they found it. They let the British Divers Marine Life Rescue know."

Water was used from the Sea Shanty cafe to keep the whale alive. But the spokesman said a veterinary surgeon who was also called out ultimately had to euthanise the animal.

Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRT) from Holyhead and Rhosneigr were also on the scene. Rhosneigr CRT said on Facebook it was tasked by the coastguard to help colleagues from Holyhead CRT with a stranded, live pygmy sperm whale on Trearddur Bay beach.