 A young minke whale was reportedly struck by a boat near Portsoy |
Witnesses who may have seen a speedboat apparently run into a young whale are being urged to come forward. Grampian Police are investigating a report that the vessel struck a minke whale calf at high speed while it swam with two adults on Monday evening.
The incident happened about 300 yards out of Portsoy Harbour in Banffshire.
Officers said the cream or yellow boat continued in a westerly direction towards the nearby town of Cullen following the crash
The craft was thought to have had two adults on board.
The whale is not thought to have been significantly injured or distressed following the collision.
 |  It is an offence to harass whales and if their sonar is damaged then this can lead to major problems, and even death |
The force said it had been contacted by concerned members of the public, some of whom had witnessed the incident from a cliff overlooking the harbour.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) urged people to be aware of whales and other mammals when taking to the waters.
Press and campaigns officer Doreen Graham said minke whales are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and are very sensitive mammals.
She explained: "It is an offence to harass whales and if their sonar is damaged then this can lead to major problems, and even death.
"We are not trying to stop people enjoying themselves during the summer, but we would ask anyone using boats or jet-skis to make sure they handle them in a responsible and appropriate manner."
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