A 30-ft fin whale which became stranded on a section of water near Belgooly bridge in Kinsale, west Cork, died yesterday despite the efforts of rescuers to save him.
The whale was stuck on a muddy bank in a shallow river upstream of Oysterhaven on Tuesday and became agitated when rescuers attempted to free it.
Wildlife support groups and marine scientists were among the rescuers who battled to save the whale, hoping that it would follow a boat out to sea when the tide turned. However, it is thought that high temperatures and humidity hampered its chance of survival and the whale died yesterday afternoon.
"It's an unfortunate and sad ending to the story," said Mr Padraig Whooley of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. "They're wonderful animals and it's not every day that people have an opportunity to see them up close. But that said, Ireland is an incredible place for whale-watching." According to the group there have been 17 reports of stranded mammals, including the common dolphin, sperm whale and minke whale, so far this year.
The latest major sighting was last weekend when a sailor reported encountering three large humpback whales off east Waterford.