Whale Track Stories: Tracking Skye’s Humpbacks and Responding to Entanglement

©Anthony Rigell

This winter, a number of Humpback whales were sighted off the coast of Skye, bringing joy to many. However, this joy quickly turned to despair when two of the individuals became entangled. Luckily, both were freed, but not without stress and injury to the animals. Anthony Rigell, a dedicated whale watcher from Skye, was on the ground assisting with the response.

As passionate whale watchers, my partner and I, throughout the years have been fortunate enough to see John Coe and Aquarius, fin whales, Sperm whales, minke and humpbacks all from the shores of Skye.  Many people describe us as lucky, which of course we are, but I believe that in some cases, you make your own luck. 

Usually, winter is a time where my partner and I relax a bit from shore watching. The weather and longer nights usually mean it is harder to spot and less enjoyable when being pelted with sleet. But from November 2024, we began observing humpback’s consistently in set locations, often seeing 3 or more in the same area. Such consistent sightings and in such numbers are usually rare for Skye, however, over the course of the next few months it was almost easy to take sightings of these magnificent creatures for granted. 

Taken 3 days before entanglement #1

This photo depicts both whales involved in the entanglements, on the left is the smaller juvenile involved entanglement #2, on the right is the juvenile involved in entanglement #1

On 30th January 2025 the joy of watching these whales in their natural habitat turned to sorrow as we witnessed the first entanglement. A juvenile humpback, entangled in ropes attached to a fish farm and BDMLR had been notified. It was one of a pair of juveniles we had observed, usually seen hanging around together in the area. When spending time watching the same animal, I find it impossible not to feel a connection with it. On this occasion this entangled humpback, with unique markings on its head, made it our most memorable to observe. The intervention was slow, with Skye being remotely located and the disentanglement team being spread out. The rope was caught fast around the whales head, appearing to be looped completely round just behind the jaw and in at the back of the blowhole. As the day went on, the light faded and the swell picked up, the poor whale had to face the night with ropes cutting into its entire head, the rope already stained with blood at the sides.

We were out before first light, barely visible, we could see another whale approaching the entangled one, rising beside it and giving a blow, it felt like a goodbye. We saw this other whale, another of the ones we had been observing head in a direction we had not seen before, away from Skye, to the north. Shortly after this interaction the rescue team from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) could be seen approaching. With consent to document and record the incident we observed this rescue. The night had not been kind, the rope now fully discoloured and blood stained, it was obvious the abrasion through the night had caused it to dig in through the blubber. Due to the nature of entanglement this rescue spanned over a good few hours but eventually the whale was cut free. Adrift for 15 minutes, motionless but taking seldom breaths, its jaw hanging open appearing limp. After some time drifting south, it regained composure and was seen swimming in the direction that its associate was seen heading earlier that morning. Despite intervention by rescue teams, the emotional weight of the situation was impossible to ignore. 

Taken the day after the rescue of entanglement #1

Can see rope wound on its head, red raw. 

But as if the universe wasn’t done, just ten days later in almost the same area, we encountered another entangled whale, on contacting BDMLR we learnt it had just been called in. This whale which we identified was the second juvenile of the pair, slightly smaller than its friend, which had been swimming freely just the day before in perfect conditions, was now entangled with a simple loop of rope. The entanglement looked simple, it was one loop over the top of the fluke but this was causing the whale great difficulty in keeping its head up. The movements of the whale suggested it was exerting a lot of energy to keep taking breaths. The body on closer inspection had been drastically altered by the rope, it had obviously been caught and struggled to the point it was almost free.

Taken the day before entanglement #2

This shows the whale involved in entanglement #2, swimming free and with no visible injuries and no major scarring 

The BDMLR team again mobilised to the region but this was set to take time. A boat which is part of the local creel fleet whose crew is also part of the Scottish Entanglement Alliance arrived on scene after a few hours. They inspected the entanglement,  with their experience of creel lines and having the correct equipment for handling these lines, and the training, they were able to assist. Observing this from the shore was nail biting, having the drone providing assessment allowed to monitor the whale, we could see the dramatic moment the whale, along with assistance, freed itself. 

Taken moments after rescue of entanglement #2

Fresh injury visible and new entanglement scars visible.

Seeing the whale swim away, we again monitored this by drone, it is by far one of the most beautiful and tragic scenes I have ever captured.  This is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the surface and only highlights the importance of whale tracking and reporting. As someone passionate about whales, seeing a positive rescue I cannot help but be flooded by gratitude. 

Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved:

BDMLR & the Large Whale Disentanglement Team

Bally Philip & Haydn MacKenzie for the intervention in entanglement #2

The Scottish Entanglement Alliance

The observes and enthusiasts reporting sightings

The countless others who offered help and assistance.

Thank you to Anthony for sharing this incredible story with us and for all his aid in helping the rescue teams disentangle these amazing animals.

HWDT are proud to be a founding member of the Scottish Entanglement Alliance and we continue to work with our partners to better understand the threat of entanglement and work with industry to mitigate the threat.

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