- Tragic stranding: 55 pilot whales perish on Western Isles shore
- Suspected cause: Single female giving birth may have led to the entire colony stranding
- Euthanization decision: Remaining whales put down for welfare reasons
A pod of 55 pilot whales perished after stranding on a shore in the Western Isles.
Sunday morning at approximately 07:00, only 15 were still alive after being washed up on Traigh Mhor shore in North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attempted to refloat one of the more active whales, but it subsequently became stranded again.
On grounds of animal welfare, the decision was made to euthanize the remaining whales.
The Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) has requested that the area be avoided as a cleanup operation has begun.
The BDMLR reported Sunday evening that one of the deceased whales had a vaginal prolapse.
This led them to believe that the entire colony became stranded as a result of a single female giving birth.
Pilot whales are sociable, so when one beached, the others follow.
Attempts to administer first aid to the surviving whales continued throughout the day.
However, after the unsuccessful attempt to refloat one of the whales, it was discovered further down the shore.
Three more whales then perished, leaving 12 – eight adults and four calves – still living.
“At approximately 15:30, the local veterinarian, along with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue, and a forensics veterinarian, determined that it was too dangerous to refloat the remaining animals due to the shallow beach and strong wave conditions.
Considering the length of time the pilot whales had been out of the water and their deplorable living conditions. It was determined that they should be euthanized for their welfare.
The Lewis community, Stornoway Coastguard, Stornoway and Shawbost Fire and Rescue, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), the Scottish SPCA, and Civil Air Support were all involved in the rescue effort. Veterinarians and marine experts were also flown in to assist.
SMASS will conduct postmortem examinations on the bodies to determine the cause of the stranding.
Pilot whales are diminutive whales that belong to the family of dolphins.
BDMLR Welfare and Conservation Director Dan Jarvis said beached whales were less likely to survive.
He stated, “Their evolution has rendered them incapable of supporting their weight on land.” So that when they are stranded, they can suffocate to death.
Pilot whales do not typically approach the shore. They could be disoriented, disturbed by what led to their stranding, distressed by the stranding itself, and distressed by being surrounded by deceased family members.
This is one of the most significant occurrences in the past two decades.
A spokesperson for the Comhairle stated, “Comhairle nan Eilean Siar requests that the public heed police advice and avoid Traigh Mhr.”
“The Comhairle has hired professionals and is currently collaborating with partner organizations to clean the beach.”
