Seven whales confirmed dead after pod grounded in shallow water in Kent

Animal charities have confirmed seven whales have died and two are currently unreachable after being grounded in shallow water near Swale, Kent.

A pod of whales was discovered in difficulty late yesterday afternoon (30 September) off the east coast of the Isle of Sheppey.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) say the tide is now going out and more dead whales may be found.

A rescue mission launched to save two whales which were found alive in a gully has now been stood down.

According to HM Coastguard, strandings happen in the UK about 20-50 times a year, involving whales, dolphins and porpoises – types of aquatic mammals collectively known as cetaceans.

There are lots of reasons why cetaceans come ashore, including injury, illness, bad weather and navigational error (which could be caused by human activity disturbing their echolocation).

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue say: "Out of the 11 animals we know that two were freely swimming and have not been seen to restrand, 7 we know to be deceased, one of which is currently being examined by the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme from ZSL.

The remaining 2 animals are currently unreachable so we have not been able to confirm their status."

These can catch out the animals and lead them to be driven into shallow water by tides and winds.

Sometimes a whole pod will follow a dominant member into trouble.

For more information and advice, please visit HM Coastguard's website.

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