A 40ft fin whale has become stranded in the Dee estuary for the second time.
The animal became stranded on the Dee estuary near Greenfield on Friday morning, but rescuers were able to release it back into the sea.
On Saturday, it returned to the estuary and has become trapped once again.
Rescuers have said that the situation is looking "less positive" today, and they have fears that damage caused to it will mean it will not survive.
We will bring you all the latest as the rescue bid unfolds.
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Images from Friday's rescue
Here are some images from the rescue on Friday.
'Today is looking less positive'
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said the situation was looking “less positive” today.
They said:
Due to the size and weight of the animal and the geography of the area, it is not possible to get the animal closer to the water to help relieve the pressure on its body. Dragging the animal by its tail will cause significant injuries and is not an option. As we mentioned yesterday, putting the animal to sleep is also incredibly difficult for a variety of reasons related to its size too.
We are saddened to say that the outlook today is looking less positive than yesterday, and we will update later with more news as the incident unfolds.”
'Key concern'
The rescuers have said that their main concern is about the animal returning to the same spot.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said:
Our key concern now is that not only has the animal returned to the estuary after leaving, but that by the time the tide comes back in at lunchtime today that it will have spent a considerable amount of time out of the water.
“Whales have never evolved to be able to support their own weight on land of course, so when stranded they gradually crush themselves, causing significant internal damage to themselves.
“While yesterday we were fortunate that the animal was only stranded for a relatively short amount of time where any damage would have been limited, being stranded again now for some more hours will add to any damage that it has already sustained and may make it unviable to survive.”
Yesterday's rescue
The whale first became stranded in the Dee Estuary on Friday morning, but was successfully rescued.
Here is what happened yesterday.
Medic team on the way to the scene
Medics from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue are heading to the scene to see what they can do for the animal.
They said:
Sadly the fin whale was resighted swimming in the Dee Estuary last night just before it got dark and has been found restranded this morning in the same area.
“We have our volunteer medic team on the way again to assess the situation and whale’s current condition.”
Whale gets trapped in Dee Estuary for second time
A 40ft fin whale has become stranded in the Dee estuary for the second time.
The animal became was reported to be stranded on the Dee estuary near Greenfield on Friday morning, but rescuers were able to release it back into the sea.
On Saturday, it returned to the estuary and has become trapped once again.
Rescuers have said that the situation is looking “less positive” today, and they have fears that damage caused to it will mean it will not survive.
We will bring you all the latest as the rescue bid unfolds.
