More than 50 pilot whales dead after mass stranding on Scottish island

All but one of a pod of 55 pilot whales died in one of the worst strandings in the UK in decades, on Sunday, July 16, according to a marine rescue charity. Images released by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue show the scene on Traigh Mhor beach on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. The charity said just 15 whales were alive when rescuers were alerted to the stranding, and only one survived the ordeal, despite first aid being administered. “It’s currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth,” the charity said. “Pilot whales are notorious for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow.” The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme was due to examine the bodies to investigate the cause of the stranding. Credit: Mairi Robertson-Carrey/Cristina McAvoy/BDMLR via Storyful