YOUR VIEWS: Moray Council to leave 23-foot rotting whale on Lossiemouth West Beach during summer holidays
READERS have weighed in on the news that a big decomposing whale will remain on one of Moray’s top beaches to let “nature take its course”.
Taking to the comments section on our story, concerns were raised that the carcass could produce an “overpowering” smell during the busiest months of the tourist season.
Others argued that “there will be health issues if it’s just left to rot”, along with worries that children staying at the nearby caravan park could come into contact with the whale.
However, some readers said they understood Moray Council’s decision, arguing that spending thousands of pounds dragging the whale into the Moray Firth would be a “slap in the face” at a time when massive budget cuts in education and health services are ongoing.
And those criticising the council’s decision were also quizzed on how Moray Council was meant to remove the carcass, given the lack of heavy vehicle access to the soft-sand beach.
While others claimed that the benefits for local wildlife made the inconvenience of avoiding the whale’s remains worth it.
Moray Council said it would be “extremely difficult” to remove the carcass, due to limited vehicle access and soft sand, that the public should steer clear, and keep children and dogs under control.
The critics: 'Months of overpowering smell’
Neil Theodoreson, from Keith, said he had personal experience of whale beachings along the coast at Culbin.
According to his Facebook profile, Mr Theodoreson works as a community forest education ranger at Forestry and Land Scotland which owns Culbin Forest.
He said: “I don't know the solution but we had two much smaller whales die at Buckie Loch, Culbin a couple of years ago, it took months for them to decompose completely and the smell was overpowering.
“Not only that, scavengers ripped lumps off and dragged them well into the wood which pet dogs loved rolling in the left overs, owners were not so keen.
“I seem to remember the decision to leave was taken by the group who did the autopsy and FLS Environment function, I think.
“And, though appreciated, by all the natural carrion eaters certainly was not enjoyed by the public.
“And of course Culbin does not have anything like the footfall Lossie beach has.”
Reader Theresa Brims said she is so worried about the smell that it will stop her visiting the beach completely for a time.
“As much as I'm usually a ‘let nature take its course’ kinda girl, that will spoil the beach for this summer season at least,” she said.
“The smell is gonna be intense...I won't be visiting there for some time now.”
Lossiemouth woman Heather Meldum described Moray Council’s decision as a “disgrace”.
She said: “How long will this take, while it lies stinking on the beach?
“Unbelievable when people are walking there and kids down there from the caravan site.
“It’s a disgrace to leave it there.”
Spending thousands on dead whale would be ‘slap in the face’
However several commenters agreed, or at least understood, the council’s decision to leave the whale where it is.
Alex McGettrick argued that current budget cuts, including sensitive area like education for children with additional support needs, mean that issues have to be prioritised.
And given these cuts, which stem from Moray Council’s legal duty to balance its budget, spending cash on removing the whale could be seen as an insulting decision.
He said: “If the council are cutting education for ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder] kids in Moray, then it would be a slap in the face to spend thousands on towing a dead whale out to sea.”
And responding to a comment asking why Moray Council couldn’t arrange to bury the whale, Marie Stockwell put the onus on critics to explain how the whale should be removed.
She said: “Can you explain how you expect recovery to take place on a beach where they can’t get trucks etc on it?
“It’s very soft sand which will cause more problems which will make you all moan again.
“Just leave nature to take its course.
“If you don’t want to see it, just stay away from the beach till the tide clears it.”
The comment with the highest number of likes came from Kiazza Wilson, one of several who supported the council’s decision, who said: “I think humans should stop thinking only about themselves and allow nature to take its course.
“Hopefully this will be washed back out to sea and provide a good source of food.”
And Anne Lee said: “Leave it be.
“It will provide food for scavengers and then leave a skeleton which can either be left in situ or put on display and used for teaching purposes.
“Follow the wise people of Orkney.”
