News

Pilot whale stranded off Pembrokeshire coast ‘shows impact of climate change’

Published

3 years ago

January 27, 2023

NEW research into a whale which stranded on the Pembrokeshire coast more than a decade ago has identified it as the first short-finned pilot whale ever to be found in British waters.

This type of whale is more frequently found in tropical to warm temperate seas and is not normally encountered in Europe north of the Bay of Biscay. Researchers said its discovery in UK waters adds to the growing evidence of a clear trend of cetacean life being affected by climate change.

The whale stranded at Hazelbeach near Neyland on March 1, 2012. It was examined by the Defra and Welsh Government-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) and was initially identified as a long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, which are commonly found in British waters and strand frequently.

The juvenile short-finned pilot whale was stranded on the Pembrokeshire coast more than a decade ago

However, fresh analysis of features of its skull and teeth, described by scientists in a newly published article in the journal Mammal Communications, confirmed it was in fact a short-finned pilot whale, the first found in British waters.

Dr Andrew Kitchener, principal curator of vertebrates at National Museums Scotland, where the whale’s skull is now held, said: “This is one of a growing number of examples in our collection going back to the 1980s of what we would normally think of as warm-water species being found for the first time in British waters.

“Others include striped dolphins, pygmy sperm whales and a Fraser’s dolphin. It’s important to develop our understanding of changing marine populations and their distributions, and the existence of collections and research facilities such as ours are crucial to building that understanding over time.

“This discovery means that we can no longer assume that every stranded pilot whale in Britain is a long-finned pilot whale.”

Short-finned pilot whales and long-finned pilot whales are similar and difficult to distinguish externally at sea. Rob Deaville of the Institute of Zoology in London, where CSIP is based, was part of the team involved in the 2012 examination.

He said: “The identification of this short-finned pilot whale in UK waters adds to the growing evidence of a clear trend of cetacean life being affected by climate change, part of a wider impact across our seas and oceans.“

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

1 hour ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.