Fears of mass whale stranding as experts rush to remote Western Isles to treat injured mammals

By Daily Mail Reporter


-Up to 100 whales have been spotted off the coast of South Uist
-Many of the mammals have head injuries

Cause for concern: Up to 100 whales have been spotted off the coast of South Uist, near Loch Carnan - and a large number appeared to have head injuries


Marine experts have been deployed to the Western Isles to try to prevent a mass stranding of pilot whales.

Up to 100 whales have been spotted off the coast of South Uist, near Loch Carnan - and a large number appeared to have head injuries.

A spokesman for animal welfare charity Scottish SPCA said the first estimate was that between 60 and 70 of the mammals were stranded, but it is believed the true figure may be nearer 100.

Volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) travelled overnight in an attempt to reach the whales.

Calum Watt, the Scottish SPCA's senior inspector, was making his way from the mainland to assist them.

If any of the whales in the group are unwell they could try to beach themselves and the others are likely to follow.

A spokesman for charity said: 'One of our senior inspectors is on his way to the scene now. We are assisting the BDMLR with their operation.'

At the end of October last year, a pod of pilot whales were in danger of becoming stranded in the same sea loch.

After being monitored closely by the coastguard, BDMLR and the Scottish SPCA, they moved safely back to sea.

But less than a week later a pod of 33 whales - believed to be the same group - were discovered dead on a beach in Co Donegal.

Head injuries: The unwell whales in the group could try to beach themselves and the others are likely to follow


The Scottish SPCA spokesman said: 'If they are sick they will try to beach themselves, and the healthy ones will follow.

'There is a worry that they could move on and turn up somewhere else. We are going to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen.'

Alistair Jack, BDMLR's Scottish co-ordinator, said: 'We first became aware of the incident late yesterday and have immediately responded.

'We anticipate having trained medics and rescue equipment on the scene by mid morning. This is one of the largest events of this kind ever in the country.'

Mr Jack said arrangements are being made for other sets of specialised rescue equipment to be flown to the island to assist with the rescue attempt.


source:dailymail