An incredible 27 species of cetacean have been recorded at one time or another in the waters around Britain and Ireland. Twenty-four of the twenty-seven species listed in UK and Irish waters occur in Scotland, making this area one of the most diverse and interesting regions for whales and dolphins perhaps in the whole of western Europe.    

Formed in 1997, the CRRU is a small non-profit research organisation based in northeast Scotland dedicated to the welfare, conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) through scientific investigation, environmental education, and the provision of a 24 hour veterinary service for sick, injured and stranded individuals.

In co-operation with universities, research institutions and international environmental agencies, principal studies focus on the coastal cetaceans frequenting the Moray Firth, providing baseline scientific data for the adoption of long-term management measures and conservation strategies for their protection. 

Conducting advanced training courses in marine wildlife rescue, the CRRU also operates the only specialist response team of marine mammal researchers in Scotland dedicated specifically to live-stranded whales and dolphins. The fully-equipped team (scientists, veterinarians and qualified volunteers) are skilled and experienced to act and advise at the scene of a stranding with first aid, veterinary treatment and refloatation procedures as required.

Of the twenty seven species of cetacean that have been recorded around the waters of Britain and Ireland, several are endangered. More importantly, several do not have sufficient data recorded on them, emphasising the importance of work such as that done by CRRU.

Listed below are a few examples of the species that have been studied or rescued by the CRRU team.