Worst death toll from pilot whales in mass stranding as 45 die on the Isle of Lewis

 https://uk.yahoo.com/news/worst-death-toll-pilot-whales-161730277.html

A large pod of around 55 pilot whales washed on to Traigh Mhor beach at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis - Mike Merritt

More than 40 pilot whales have died after a mass stranding on a beach in the Scottish isles.

A large pod of around 55 of the mammals washed on to Traigh Mhor beach at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis at around 7am on Sunday.

But marine charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue said only 10 had survived, with around 45 believed to have died. It is believed to be Britain’s largest recorded death toll from a whale stranding.

An attempt was made later on Sunday to refloat those that had survived at high tide after specialist equipment and more volunteers were requested from the mainland.

Police Scotland urged people to avoid the area to give the whales “the best chance of survival”.

A spokesman for the rescue charity said: “Our local marine mammal medics are currently administering first aid to the whales, and medics from surrounding areas are preparing their kit and organising transport to the island.

“Reports so far suggest there are around 55 animals, however the latest update from the scene indicates that only 10 are alive.”

She added: “The reason for the whales stranding is currently unknown, but pilot whales are notorious for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow, leading to more of them stranding.”

Experts from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme will carry out post-mortem examinations to try to establish a cause. They attended the stranding along with the coastguard.

‘Like a war zone’

One local said: “It is like a war zone but with the bodies (of) whales. It really is distressing and rescuers are doing a fantastic job in trying to save and refloat those that have survived. But it must be very upsetting for them.”

Pilot whales are small whales that are part of the dolphin family. They are well known for mass stranding, although the reason is not always clear.

Pilot whales are susceptible to ocean noise but are also highly sociable and may follow a weak or sick member of the pod.

Scotland’s largest stranding occurred in July 2011 at the Kyle of Durness in Sutherland when 19 of a pod of 70 whales died. Four large bombs exploded underwater by the Royal Navy were later blamed by government scientists.

A report by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said that the noise from the explosions could have damaged the hearing and navigational abilities of the whales, causing them to beach and die.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers are currently assisting partners with a number of stranded pilot whales on the beach at Tolsta. To allow the whales the best chance of survival, please avoid the area.”