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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stranded In Estuary, Sperm Whale Dies

Compiled From Wire Services

A stranded sperm whale died Monday in the shallow waters of a Scottish estuary after trying to escape for more than a week.

The 40-foot whale, nicknamed Moby, died shortly after low tide left him beached on mud flats at Airth, near Edinburgh, said Alex Kilgour, spokesman for a local aquarium that had been monitoring the whale.

Moby, who had been headed to the Azores to breed, first was seen deep in the River Forth 12 days ago. He apparently was frightened by traffic on busy road and rail bridges that span the estuary.

Encouraged by rescuers in boats, he swam toward the open sea several times but turned back each time and headed deeper into the River Forth.