AN amazingly rare yet “worrying” creature has been spotted in the waters of Loch Broom — a beluga whale.
Beluga whales, also known as white whales, live in sub-Arctic waters, including around Russia, Canada, Greenland and Alaska, according to the National History Museum. However, belugas have been recorded in UK waters only 20 or 30 times.
Local environmentalist and consultant for the Ullapool Sea Savers, Noel Hawkins, described the beluga sighting as “worrying”.
He said: “A few days ago, we passed what I thought was a strange cetacean as it looked light coloured. My partner Janis looked back and saw it spyhop and thought it was a porpoise, which seemed strange as I’d never seen one do that.”
A ‘spyhop’ is a vertical half-rise out of the water performed by a whale in order to view the surroundings, according to Collins Dictionary.
“Then we started getting clips of something at the head of the loch, it looked white and we wondered if it could be a beluga — but when we went and looked we couldn’t see anything, so we thought we must be wrong. Two more clips came in, and it definitely is a beluga — it’s even been verified by Hugh Harrop of Shetland Wildlife.”
On May 20, Noel went out looking for it again but couldn’t locate the whale.
He continued: “It’s very strange as it shouldn’t be here and we’re worried it might be in trouble. Please keep an eye out — but if it is seen, please give it distance and peace, do not get close to it or chase it.”
Noel explained that he has informed British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) of the sighting.
A spokesperson for BDMLR said: ”We are aware of the sighting of the beluga whale in Loch Broom.
“We are monitoring the situation but until we get better photo id we cannot say if it is the same one that turned up in Shetland last year.
“We would also appeal to people to stay away from the area as it could cause the animal unnecessary disturbance as well as congestion in the area.”
A Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust spokesperson commented: “The whale is obviously not in its natural environment and it would be best if people stay away and report any sightings to our Whale Track app.
“The last time a beluga was seen in west coast was 20 years ago off Applecross in Wester Ross. So they are very rare visitors and when they do turn up it is often not for long. The reason behind why it’s here is unknown. They are highly sociable animals so it’s unusual for them to be their own. It is probably quite lonely.”
