Watch: Long finned pilot whale spotted circling in the Outer Hebrides

A long-finned pilot whale is circling near the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides and members of the public have been asked to stay away to avoid causing the mammal further distress.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Outer Hebrides team took to Facebook and said: “Please be aware that the Outer Hebrides Teams are aware of the Long Finned Pilot Whale that’s circling at Bunavoneader, Isle of Harris, and have already been down and assessed its condition and currently have a medic on site.”

The post continued to highlight the habits of these mammals and said that it was likely this one was unwell and looking for somewhere to stay until it passes.

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It continued: “We please kindly ask the public not to chase the whale back into open water. Pilot Whales travel in pods and as a singular whale this animal is highly likely, and from

Image of the Whale from the video.Image of the Whale from the video.
Image of the Whale from the video.

the behaviour seen, to have been left by the pod and is sick and looking for somewhere to strand so it can pass.

“Please do not cause this animal any further distress at this time, all relevant agencies are aware and we are working together.”

As their name suggests, the whale species have two very long flippers.

The animals have a thick-set, curved and very prominent dorsal fin. The head is bulbous with no beak.

Long-finned pilot whales live throughout the cold and temperate waters of the southern hemisphere and in the North Atlantic Ocean, but have a wide distribution around the globe.

They prefer deep offshore environments, but do occur in coastal waters in some areas.

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