Scotland’s first full post-mortem of a humpback whale has been carried out.
Veterinary pathologists completed the task with help from conservation charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust after the mammal was found dead at Fishnish on the Isle of Mull.
The 22ft, eight-ton animal – believed to be the first humpback whale ever to strand on the island – was discovered floating close to shore at Fishnish.
The male calf, which had not been feeding recently and was probably still dependent on its mother, was craned out the sea.
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s science and strandings officer Dr Conor Ryan, who is an expert on humpback whales, assisted with a post-mortem examination with veterinary pathologist Andrew Brownlow of Scottish Rural University College.
Preliminary results from the examination were consistent with drowning, although the exact cause is unclear.
Dr Ryan said: “This highly unusual and sad discovery is a reminder that Scotland’s west coast waters are extremely special and host a great variety of marine species, including magnificent and iconic humpback whales – and that conservation action and research are vital for the protection of such remarkable animals.”
Humpback whales face a range of threats including collisions with vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution and reduction in stocks of their prey.
People are encouraged to report sightings and strandings of whales, dolphins, porpoises – collectively known as cetaceans – to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.
Humpback whales are rarely encountered in the Hebrides but are known to migrate through the region far from shore when travelling between their tropical breeding grounds and Arctic feeding grounds.
They were hunted in the Hebrides in the early 1900s, but only 19 were caught over a 20-year period, suggesting they had been over-exploited by whalers elsewhere to the north and south of Scotland.
Although sightings are still very rare in UK waters, the species is being observed with increasing regularity in Irish waters.
Named after the distinctive hump in front of their small dorsal fin, humpback whales are known for their acrobatics and for complex and beautiful songs performed by males during courtship.
Adults can range in length from 40-50ft and weigh up to 36 tons.
The whale was found dead on Mull on June 25.