Pilot whales have strong social bonds and are known for mass strandings. The cause of this one in Scotland has not yet been determined, but it is thought the pod may have followed one of the females who had got into difficulty
More than 50 pilot whales have died after they were washed up on a Scottish beach.
Marine rescuers raced to the scene at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, on Sunday morning after reports that dozens of the mammals appeared trapped and unable to get back out to sea.British Divers Marine Life Rescue tried to refloat two of the more active whales that were still low down in the water on the outgoing tide and one got away.At around 3.30pm it was decided that the remaining whales should be put down on the grounds it would be more humane.
The cause of the stranding is not known, but it is thought the pod may have followed one of the females. Pilot whales grow to about 4-6 metres in length and live for between 40 and 60 years.A statement from the BDMLR charity said:"One of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse - so it's currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth.
The Coastguard, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, police and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme were also on the beach on Sunday.Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerBDMLR added:"At about 3.30pm, the local vet along with the Coastguard, fire and rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals.
"Considering how long the pilot whales had been out of the water, in addition to the poor conditions, it was decided that they should be euthanised on welfare grounds.
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