Dozens of long-finned pilot whales have died after a 77-strong pod got here ashore on an Orkney seaside in what may very well be the most important mass stranding in a long time.
Twelve of the animals at Tresness seaside, on the island of Sanday, have been nonetheless alive, however based on rescuers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), it was thought unlikely they may very well be saved.
It was unknown what triggered the stranding, however specialists mentioned it was attainable one whale bought into hassle and the others adopted. The pod contains male whales as much as seven metres (22ft) lengthy, together with females, calves and juveniles.
Consultants from the BDMLR, the Scottish SPCA and marine vets from the Scottish mainland, went to the scene.
The BDMLR mentioned in a press release: “[Our] regional workforce was instantly mobilised with response tools to make their means over to the island, while we waited for extra info on the scenario from the small variety of medics already on Sanday that have been on their option to the scene.
“On arrival the medics discovered there to be about 77 animals excessive up the seaside, having evidently been stranded for a number of hours already. Sadly, solely 12 of them nonetheless alive at this level.”
Rescuers confronted difficulties righting the whales in an try to refloat them resulting from mushy sand on Thursday.
It may very well be the biggest stranding occasion in Scotland since 1995, when the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (Smass) was based.
Final 12 months a pod of 55 pilot whales died after a stranding on the Isle of Lewis. Just one was efficiently refloated. Simply 15 have been nonetheless alive once they washed ashore however they have been then euthanised. In 2011 about 60 of the animals bought into hassle in shallow waters in Sutherland, with about 25 dying.
Emma Neave-Webb, from BDMLR, advised BBC Scotland Information: “There are whales in all places. There’s an extended line of them, a few of them are nonetheless alive. I do know from expertise how tough these incidents are and I believe we have to be reasonable.”
It was unlikely many can be saved, she mentioned. She described the scene as “fairly horrible” and “massively emotional”.
Members of the general public have been requested to remain away whereas assessments and rescue efforts happen.
The most important UK stranding is assumed to have taken place in 1927 when 126 of greater than 130 false killer whales died within the Dornoch Firth within the Highlands.
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