Pod of more than 50 pilot whales dies after mass stranding on Scottish beach
- Marine rescuers were called to the scene on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday to reports that dozens of the mammals were in difficulty there
- The cause of the stranding is not known but it is thought the pod may have followed one of the females
A pod of more than 50 pilot whales has died following a mass stranding on a Scottish beach.
Marine rescuers were called to the scene at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, to reports that dozens of the mammals were in difficulty there at around 7am local time on Sunday.
Initial reports suggested there were around 55 animals consisting of both adults and calves, however it was soon discovered that only 15 were still alive.
Pilot whales are notorious for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow.
Charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) tried to refloat two of the more active whales that were still low down in the water on the outgoing tide and one got away.
However the other subsequently restranded and died later on, as did three others.
At around 3:30pm it was decided that the remaining whales should be euthanised on welfare grounds.
The cause of the stranding is not known but it is thought the pod may have followed one of the females.
A statement from BDMLR said: “One of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse – so it’s currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth.
