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Kyle of Durness Pilot Whale Stranding Under Investigation by SAC

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N94
Published: 25 Jul 2011

The SAC-led Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme is continuing to investigate the cause of what is believed to have been Scotland’s largest ever stranding of pilot whales, in the Kyle of Durness.

SAC’s Veterinary Investigations Officer Dr Andrew Brownlow, who leads the Scheme, joined the response to the stranding on Friday 22 July. At that time, 35 whales from a group believed to be about 60-strong were beached on a sandbar. Around 20 whales were successfully shepherded out to sea but over the weekend 16 dead whales were reported. Dr Brownlow believes more carcasses may be washed up over the coming days.

Dr Brownlow has carried out post mortems on all 16 whale carcasses. He said: “One large male had some evidence of septic arthritis in one shoulder but other than this we found no physiological reason for the pilot whales coming ashore. The whales had little food in their stomachs which suggests they were close to the shore, and therefore not feeding, for 36-48 hours before becoming stranded.

“One possible explanation is that they were spooked by something further out to sea. This could include underwater noise such are an earthquakes or an explosion but we are continuing to investigate and have not reached a definitive conclusion as yet.”

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Marine Animal Strandings
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College)

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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