Kerry lifeboat leads whales out to sea

The Fenit lifeboat is shepherding a school of up to 20 whales away from the County Kerry coast and out to open sea in an effort…

The Fenit lifeboat is shepherding a school of up to 20 whales away from the County Kerry coast and out to open sea in an effort to prevent them becoming beached.

Yesterday 17 long-finned bottlenose whales died after they were washed ashore at Aughacasla Strand near Tralee. Efforts to dispose of the remains of the whales are ongoing.

The Fenit lifeboat, Dingle Coastguard and a number of local boats spent most of yesterday afternoon diverting the whales from the shore.

A marine expert from the Wildlife Service is understood to be at the scene. Weather conditions are reported to be good with calm seas and light winds.