The "Amazing Friendship" of the Gray Whale... Over 50 Dead in a Mass Stranding on a Scottish Beach, UK

Over 50 Dusky Dolphins Found Dead in a Mass Mortality Event in 2021

About 50 pilot whales were washed ashore and died in a mass stranding on a beach in Scotland, UK.

According to the UK Guardian and others on the 16th (local time), a report was received by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) around 7 a.m. that day about 55 pilot whales being washed ashore on the Tri Mor beach of North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis in northwest Scotland. BDMLR is a marine life protection organization.

[Image source=British Diver Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Instagram]

The rescue team stated, "When we arrived at the scene, most of the whales had died, and 15 were still alive." They added, "We tried to rescue two actively moving whales, but one was stranded again and died, and only one managed to escape," and "Several others died during this process," describing the situation at the time.

The rescue team explained, "Around 3:30 p.m., we judged that rescue operations were difficult due to the shallow beach and rough waves," and "Considering the time whales can survive out of water, we euthanized all remaining individuals that afternoon."

Local experts believe the cause of the mass stranding is related to the characteristics of pilot whales. Pilot whales, which can grow up to 7 meters in length, inhabit temperate and tropical deep seas, live in groups of 15 to 40, and have strong bonds, rarely leaving their pods. Additionally, pilot whales are highly social and have a habit of rushing to help fellow whales in distress.

The rescue team said, "Pilot whales have very strong bonds between groups," and "It appears that when one of the dead whales experienced problems during childbirth, other companion whales followed, leading to the mass stranding."

This is not the first mass death of pilot whales. In February 2021, about 50 pilot whales were washed ashore and died in a mass stranding on a beach in East Java, Indonesia. At that time, some citizens caused controversy by climbing on the struggling whales to take selfies.

Meanwhile, mass deaths of pilot whales have been frequently reported in Australia, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, and other places. However, the exact reason why pilot whales are driven into shallow beaches has not yet been determined.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.