Scotland: 55 whales dead after mass stranding on beach, with people told to avoid area

A pod of 55 pilot whales have died following a “mass stranding” on a Scottish beach.

Marine rescuers swarmed the coastline at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, to reports that dozens of the mammals were struggling in the area on Sunday morning.

Marine medics armed with first aid kits desperately tried to save the whales but only one was successfully swam back in the sea.

It is estimated at least 55 pilot whales washed up on the beach.

One of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse – so it’s currently suspected the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth.

Rescuers struggled with the remote location of the Outer Hebrides, with medics often having to drive 1-5 miles to get phone service to communicate.

Police urged people to avoid the area to allow the mammals the greatest chance of survival.

Pilot whales are small whales characterised as part of the dolphin family.

A statement from the BDMLR on Sunday said: "This morning (Sunday 16th July 2023) around 7am, BDMLR were alerted to a mass stranding of around 55 pilot whales on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland.

"Unfortunately, none (apart from one that was refloated early on) survived the ordeal - the last animals were declared deceased at about 3:30pm.

"This was an incredibly complex rescue – the signal was extremely poor in such a remote area with our Medics often having to drive 1-5 miles to get service to communicate with Rescue Coordinators at Head Office.

"Medics from surrounding areas also prepared their kits and made their way to the island from the mainland.

"Rescue Coordinators even facilitated flying in more refloatation pontoons from various regions across England and Scotland via Civil Air Support."

The rescuers said earlier: “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."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers are currently assisting partners with a number of stranded pilot whales on the beach at Tolsta, Stornoway.

“To allow the dolphins the best chance of survival, please avoid the area.”

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was “responding to reports of mammals beached at Traigh Mhor on Isle of Lewis” on Sunday July 16.

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