55 pilot whales found dead on Scottish beach.

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OAN’s Noah‌ Herring
1:20 PM – Monday, ⁤July 17, 2023

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A pod of​ 55 ⁤pilot whales have‍ died after being found⁢ washed ​ashore on a beach in⁣ Scotland, marine experts said Monday. 

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Reports of dozens of whales being stranded prompted Marine rescuers, the⁢ coast guard, ‍and police to ⁣arrive at‍ Traigh ⁤Mhor Beach on‍ the ⁢Isle⁤ of Lewis ‌in northwest​ Scotland early Sunday. 

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According to ​the British Divers Marine​ Life Rescue,‌ only​ 15 of the⁤ whales, which were⁣ a mixture of adults‍ and ⁤calves, were still‌ alive. ⁣Rescuers also attempted to refloat two of ​the‍ whales​ that ​were closer to the water.

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However, by Sunday ⁣afternoon, rescue teams made the decision to euthanize the remaining ⁤whales as⁣ the wave⁤ condition was rough ⁤and the ‍beach​ was shallow. 

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The rescuers said that the‌ pod ⁣may have followed a female ​onto shore who ⁤had ‍complications giving birth.

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“Pilot whales are ⁢notorious for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale‌ gets into difficulty and ⁣strands,​ the rest follow,” ‍it said in a statement. “A sad outcome for this pod and obviously not ‌the outcome we​ were all hoping ⁣for.”

Experts are expected to begin post-mortem work on Monday ⁢to ​determine ⁢what ⁢caused‌ the ‍whales’ death. 

Andrew Brownlow from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme said ⁣that their‌ work ​will be a “monumental task.”

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“In terms of the number ⁣of casualty animals, this ⁤is the biggest ​one we’ve had,”‌ he told the BBC.

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The whales’ bodies will be examined and will be taken⁢ to a landfill site ⁣to ‍be buried after the post-mortem ‌is completed.

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