Dozens of Whales Found Dead in “Biggest Mass Stranding in Decades” on Orkney Beach

In a tragic incident on the Isle of Sanday in Orkney, around 77 pilot whales were found stranded on the beach, with only 12 still alive.

The stranding was detected early Sunday morning, indicating the whales had been stranded for several hours before being found.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) immediately mobilized efforts to assist the surviving whales, aiming to refloat them with the incoming tide. Molly Brown from BDMLR expressed her determination to save the remaining live whales, highlighting the challenging circumstances and the deployment of medics across Orkney and Scotland.

“Pilot whales are incredibly sociable, so it’s possible that one whale initially stranded, leading the others to follow,” explained Brown, noting the largest stranding event in recent memory, reminiscent of a similar incident involving 55 whales last year on the Isle of Lewis.

The exact cause of the stranding remains unknown. Still, BDMLR emphasized the strong social bonds among pilot whales, where distress in one whale often results in others following suit, exacerbating the situation.

As the rescue operation continues, BDMLR and the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme collaborate on health assessments and prepare for post-mortem investigations to determine further insights into this distressing event.

This incident echoes previous challenges in wildlife conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of proactive measures and research to protect marine species vulnerable to such strandings.