Sao Paulo
More than 50 pilot whales were found stranded on a beach on the Isle of Lewis and Harris in western Scotland this Sunday (16). Most of the group died.
The reasons for the mass stranding are uncertain. According to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) NGO, which works to save marine animals, one of the dead whales appeared to have a vaginal prolapse (weakening of the ligaments and muscles in the area), suggesting the possibility that the The group ran aground due to the birth of a female.
“Pilot whales are notorious for their strong social bonds. When a whale gets into trouble and runs aground, the others often follow,” reads an excerpt of the statement released by the organization.
Specialists in the rescue of marine animals were mobilized around 7:00 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. in Brasilia). About 55 whales, including adult whales and calves, were stranded and only 15 were found alive.
“Our marine mammal doctors cared for the surviving whales and provided first aid,” says the BDMLR text. Experts tried to tow two more active whales one of them managed to return to the sea.
At around 3:30 p.m. local time, the animals that were still alive had to be euthanized. The decision was made by the BDMLR team in cooperation with the Coast Guard and the Fire Service.
“Given the amount of time the pilot whales were out of the water and the poor conditions, it was decided that they should be euthanized for animal welfare reasons,” the organization said in a statement.
Pilot whales can reach a length of up to eight meters and are known for their social behavior. The remains will be autopsied to determine the exact reason for the stranding.