Trapped whale will be left to die

A fin whale trapped at the harbour in Baltimore, Cork will be left to die.

The 16m long mammal, believed to be an adolescent female, became stranded at low tide yesterday morning.

Hopes that she could be helped back to sea faded as it became clear that she was injured and starving.

The whale is also too large to be put down.

Padraig Whooley of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says there's little hope for the dying animal: "As of 9.30am this morning, the fin whale is still alive but the situation has deteriorated considerably.

"It's bleeding quite profusely and violently splashing its body against the pier.

"The situation is as bad as we could have imagined."