A POD of pilot whales which caused welfare concerns off Orkney have headed back to sea.
It came after most of the 45 whales that arrived in two pods were successfully herded out of danger of becoming stranded from the Orkney Isles of Sanday and Stronsay.
The latest pod of an estimated 13 whales was seen beside Hatston Pier in Kirkwall near a visiting cruise liner.
While there were concerns they could get distress and beach themselves, they left after a couple of hours.
But not before giving visitors and locals a rare chance for some close up views.
READ MORE: Video: Rescue attempt after concerns for up to 45 whales off Orkney
It is understood volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue are continuing to monitor the situation.
It was thought the pilot whales were part of two groups seen near the islands of Sanday and Stronsay at the weekend and became the centre of a rescue operation.
Due to concerns for the welfare of the groups, arrangements were made to transport whale rescue pontoons from across Scotland and Northern England and to gently herd the animals back out to deeper water with the help of a flotilla of boats.
On Monday some appeared to have remained in the same place, but BDMLR said the big difference was that an injured animal they had been supporting appeared well and was swimming normally without assistance. A flotilla of boats again escorted the pilot whales to safety.
BDMLR said: "Thankfully the animals did not strand, and the herding efforts were far more effective than we could have hoped, and we remain cautiously optimistic that this has been a very successful operation."
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