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Police probe shooting of porpoises
TWO dead porpoises washed up on local beaches are believed to have been shot.
The first harbour porpoise was discovered, still bleeding, by a member of the public at 6pm last Wednesday on the beach near Bridlington Spa. The second was found on Monday afternoon on the beach between Fraisthorpe and Barmston.
Police are investigating the cause of their deaths but holes in their heads indicate gunshot wounds.
The porpoises are now at the Natural History Museum in London for post-mortem examinations and the results are expected to be released in the next couple of days.
Sgt Chris Hine, wildlife crime officer for Humberside Police, said: "The harbour porpoise is a protected species under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and penalties are severe if they are killed or injured
"Around two years ago a significant number of dead porpoises were found on East Yorkshire beaches and I am hopeful this will not be the case this time round.
"I am appealing for anyone who may have any information to contact the police."
Local marine medic Lesley Salisbury said: "The British Divers Marine Life Rescue is a charity formed to rescue seals and marine mammals.
"The majority of our call-outs are to live animals and we either return them to the sea or, if they are injured seals, we take them for veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.
"Injured porpoises, dolphins or whales are more difficult to deal with if we cannot release them back into the sea.
"It is a very sad task when we are occasionally called to dead animals.
"That is the reality of working with animals and it can be upsetting for the medic as well as the public present to see such beautiful animals washed up.
"I would like to thank the coastguard officials who helped me with the porpoise last week and to the group of youngsters who were very interested in what had happened and keen to know the cause of such a wound."
If anyone finds any dead animals on the beach the BDMLR still needs to be informed so it can be recorded.
Members of the public should also not touch any stranded animal, alive or dead, and should wait for a medic.
Anyone with any information about the porpoises is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 6060222 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Porpoise Factfile
l The harbour porpoise, sometimes known as the common porpoise, is one of six species of porpoise.
l It is one of the smallest ocean mammals in the sea and is about 67cm to 85cm long at birth.
l Both sexes grow up to 1.9 metres.
l As its name implies, it stays close to coastal areas or river estuaries.
l Harbour porpoises often venture up rivers and have been seen hundreds of miles from the sea.
l Harbour porpoises can live for up to 25 years and feed mostly on small fish.
You can watch a video of a seal rescue at www.bridtv.co.uk
Read an account of the famous Battle of Flamborough Head here.
Read about Bridlington Lifeboat's 200th anniversary by clicking here.
Read the latest sports news by clicking here.
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
