Volunteers Prevent Over 100 Whales From Beaching 0
Scotland’s largest ever mass whale stranding was averted yesterday after marine experts said the mammals had broken into smaller groups and moved back into deeper water .
The pod of pilot whales, about 20 of which had severe head injuries, was spotted late Thursday night as the mammals attempted to beach themselves on the rocky shore of a remote Scottish island. Dozens of healthy whales had also followed them into the shallow water raising fears that up to 100 of the animals could strand themselves.
The pod was discovered moving back and forth along the Loch Carnan coastline in South Uist in the Western Isles, Scotland, showing signs of distress.
Volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) travelled overnight to reach the animals, and members of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were also involved with the rescue, and were poised to use inflatable pontoons to push the whales back out to sea.
Local fishermen also helped to encourage the whales back into deeper water.
Scottish SPCA senior inspector Calum Watt said: “We were alerted to the possibility of a mass stranding yesterday evening and are now co-ordinating with the BDMLR.
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