A trapped whale is causing concern in Shetland as it stuggles to survive in the water, surrounded by nets.
Wildlife experts in Shetland are struggling to think of how they can rescue the huge humpback whale that has become caught in lobster lines off the east coast of Shetland.
The ferry crew on the Whalsay ferry first saw the whale in trouble at 7am on Thrsday morning and have been keeping an eye on it ever since. The animal is struggling 150 metres off Lunning Head.
The creature is probably the same whale that has been swimming off the north east coast of Shetland for the past few days. It is estimated to be about 12 metres long, and to weigh around 30 tonnes.
The wind is gusting up to Force 8 with a one metre swell making it dificult to get near to the whale, but rescuers fear that they might make it panic and create further problems.
Karen Hall, of Shetland Natural Heritage, in Lerwick, said: "We do know of occasions where large whales which have become entangled in rope, but getting them free of the rope is very, very difficult even in the best of conditions.
"We are currently looking at all possible avenues for staging a rescue of this whale, but have yet to work out a solution to this problem."
