More than 40 pilot whales dead in mass stranding on Lewis

More than 40 aviator whales person died aft a wide stranding connected a Western Isles beach.

About 55 of the mammals washed onto Traigh Mhor formation astatine North Tolsta connected the Isle of Lewis astatine astir 07:00 connected Sunday morning.

Marine foundation British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said lone 10 had survived.

Police person urged radical to debar the country to springiness the whales "the champion accidental of survival".

A spokeswoman for the BDMLR said they were alerted to the wide stranding by police.

She said: "Our section marine mammal medics are presently administering archetypal assistance to the whales, and medics from surrounding areas are preparing their kit and organising transport to the island.

"Reports truthful acold suggest determination are astir 55 animals, nevertheless the latest update from the country indicates that lone 10 are alive.

"The coastguard and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme person besides been tasked to attend."

She added: "The crushed for the whales stranding is presently unknown, but aviator whales are notorious for their beardown societal bonds, truthful often erstwhile 1 whale gets into trouble and strands, the remainder travel starring to much of them stranding."

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

BDMLR's Welfare and Conservation Director Dan Jarvis told BBC Scotland that the longer the whales were connected the beach, the little apt it was that they would survive.

He said: "They person evolved to not person the quality to enactment their ain value connected land. So erstwhile they are stranded they tin crush themselves to death. Vet appraisal is captious to spot if immoderate of the surviving whales are suitable to beryllium enactment retired to sea.

"Pilot whales don't usually travel successful to shore. Those inactive live volition beryllium perchance disoriented, distressed from what has led to the stranding, and distressed from the stranding itself and being surrounded by household members who person died astir them.

"This is 1 of the biggest incidents we've had successful the past mates of decades."

Police Scotland said: "Officers are presently assisting partners with a fig of stranded aviator whales connected the formation astatine Tolsta, Stornoway.

"To let the whales the champion accidental of survival, delight debar the area."

Local MP Angus Brendan MacNeil tweeted images of the stranded whales connected Sunday.

He said: "Reckoned to beryllium astir 55 aviator whales stranded connected Traigh Mhor astatine North Tolsta successful the Isle of Lewis this morning."