Examentrainers

1		THE delicate task of guiding				manage to move them.” Alex		9		Mike Lynch of the SSPCA
		five sperm whales1) back to				Simpson, a marine biologist				said: “The danger is that
		the open sea from the				at the Orkney Department of				whales fall asleep on the
		shallow waters of Scapa				Harbours, said. “It’s difficult				surface of the water. If there
		Flow is expected to go				to predict whether the same				were a collision between a
		ahead within days.				method would work again.”				sleeping whale and a boat
2		The whales, which are		6		The rescue operation will				there would be considerable
		thought to have trailed a				have to be handled with				damage to both parties.”
		tanker into the natural				care to prevent the whales		10		“As far as we can tell they
		harbour on Tuesday, are				becoming agitated and				seem quite happy,” said Mr
		being monitored for signs of				swimming in the wrong				Simpson, “they are moving
		injury or distress by Orkney				direction towards the shore.				about as a group, swimming
		Harbour Authority and the				They will have to be coaxed				on the surface.”
		Scottish Society for the				through one of the two exits		11		At sea, sperm whales eat
		Prevention of Cruelty to				from Scapa Flow - Hoxa				approximately one ton of fish
		Animals (SSPCA).				Sound and Hoy Sound -				and deep-sea squid each
3		Yesterday the five young				both about 1½ miles wide				day. Pickings in Scapa Flow
		males, ranging in length from				with fast-flowing tidal				will be more meagre.
		30ft to 60ft, lolled around in				waters.				Although they can survive for
		the water showing no signs of		7		The whales, which weigh				up to four weeks on their thick
		trying to escape. However, it				up to 50 tons, were first				layers of blubber, they will
		is feared they may soon				spotted by a group of divers				soon grow weak without
		become hungry, panic, and				examining the remains of				proper sustenance.
		beach themselves.				the German fleets scuttled in		12		“When they start to
4		In 1993, when six sperm				Scapa Flow in both world				weaken there is a chance
		whales became stranded in				wars.				they will starve,” Mr Lynch
		Scapa Flow, they were lured		8		A warning to all shipping				said. “Then they will become
		to safety by the seductive				in the area was issued and				distressed and beach
		calls of females played				reminders are being				themselves. That is why we
		underwater. It is thought that				broadcast daily on Radio				have to take the opportunity
		a similar ploy will be used this				Orkney. Scapa Flow is a busy				to rescue them while we can.
		time.				thoroughfare, used by ferries				It won’t be easy but it is a
5		“It’s crucial first to				sailing between Mainland and				chance worth taking.”
		understand the behaviour of				outlying islands, and pilot
		the animals and then to				boats taking crews to oil				The Times
		formulate a plan that might				tankers in the North Sea.

sperm whale = potvis