A pod of 77 pilot whales has perished after washing ashore on a beach in Orkney, potentially marking the largest mass stranding in decades.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) found that 12 of the animals at Tresness Beach on the island of Sanday were still alive when they came out of the water.

Later, the decision was taken to euthanise them after refloating efforts failed.

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The stranded pod consisted of whales of all ages and genders, including males reaching up to seven meters (22ft) in length, alongside females, calves, and juveniles.

Experts said it was too early to identify the cause of the stranding, but it seems like one of the whales got into trouble and the rest of the pod tried to help.

The public is being asked to stay away from the area while the post-mortem is being carried out.

This stranding event could be the largest recorded in Scotland since the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme's (SMASS) inception in 1995, although similar incidents have occurred in recent years.

Last year an entire pod of 55 pilot whales died following a stranding on Lewis.

Just 15 of the whales were alive when they were washed ashore. One was successfully re-floated while the others had to be euthanised.

As per the Natural History Museum, the largest UK stranding took place in 1927 when 126 out of more than 130 false killer whales died in the Dornoch Firth in the Highlands.

BDMLR medics from Orkney and Inverness arrived to help in the rescue operation, but Neave-Webb's assessment indicated the whales may have been stranded for an extended period, reducing their chances of survival."

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She described the scene as quite horrible and very emotional.

Although the rescuers tried to keep the whales alive by pouring seawater over them, the decision was later taken to euthanise them.

Andrew Brownlow of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme said mass strandings of this scale are becoming more common in Scotland.

"Earlier it used to be strange to have a mass stranding event, certainly of this size, but now this is very common,” Brownlow was quoted saying by BBC.

"The increase in strandings is a worrying trend. It's unclear if this is due to a rise in animal populations or new environmental threats,” Brownlow said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A pod of 77 pilot whales has perished after washing ashore on a beach in Orkney, potentially marking the largest mass stranding in decades. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) found that 12 of the animals at Tresness Beach on the island of Sanday were still alive when they came out of the water.

A pod of 77 pilot whales has perished after washing ashore on a beach in Orkney, potentially marking the largest mass stranding in decades. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) found that 12 of the animals at Tresness Beach on the island of Sanday were still alive when they came out of the water. Later, the decision was taken to euthanise them after refloating efforts failed. Also read: Switzerland bans 'suicide capsule' for assisted dying. Here's how it can kill people 'in seconds' The stranded pod consisted of whales of all ages and genders, including males reaching up to seven meters (22ft) in length, alongside females, calves, and juveniles. Experts said it was too early to identify the cause of the stranding, but it seems like one of the whales got into trouble and the rest of the pod tried to help. The public is being asked to stay away from the area while the post-mortem is being carried out. This stranding event could be the largest recorded in Scotland since the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme's (SMASS) inception in 1995, although similar incidents have occurred in recent years. Last year an entire pod of 55 pilot whales died following a stranding on Lewis. Just 15 of the whales were alive when they were washed ashore. One was successfully re-floated while the others had to be euthanised. As per the Natural History Museum, the largest UK stranding took place in 1927 when 126 out of more than 130 false killer whales died in the Dornoch Firth in the Highlands. BDMLR medics from Orkney and Inverness arrived to help in the rescue operation, but Neave-Webb's assessment indicated the whales may have been stranded for an extended period, reducing their chances of survival." Also read: Cyprus' oldest temple excavated. It houses a mysterious monolith, skeleton of a woman She described the scene as quite horrible and very emotional. Although the rescuers tried to keep the whales alive by pouring seawater over them, the decision was later taken to euthanise them. Andrew Brownlow of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme said mass strandings of this scale are becoming more common in Scotland. "Earlier it used to be strange to have a mass stranding event, certainly of this size, but now this is very common,” Brownlow was quoted saying by BBC. "The increase in strandings is a worrying trend. It's unclear if this is due to a rise in animal populations or new environmental threats,” Brownlow said. (With inputs from agencies)

Devastating mass stranding in Scotland: 77 whales dead

About 100 pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins have died in a mass stranding on the remote Chatham Islands, about 800 km (497 miles) off New Zealand`s east coast, officials said on Wednesday.

Most of them were stranded during the weekend but rescue efforts have been hampered by the remote location of the island.

New Zealand`s Department of Conservation (DOC) said in total 97 pilot whales and three dolphins died in the stranding, adding that they were notified of the incident on Sunday.

"Only 26 of the whales were still alive at this point, the majority of them appearing very weak, and were euthanised due to the rough sea conditions and almost certainty of there being great white sharks in the water which are brought in by a stranding like this,” said DOC Biodiversity Ranger Jemma Welch.

Mass strandings are reasonably common on the Chatham Islands with up to 1,000 animals dying in a single stranding in 1918.

Mass whale strandings have occurred throughout recorded modern history, and why it happens is a question that has puzzled marine biologists for years.

In late September, several hundred whales died in shallow waters off the Australian coast in one of the world`s biggest mass whale strandings.

About 100 pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins have died in a mass stranding on the remote Chatham Islands, about 800 km (497 miles) off New Zealand`s east coast, officials said on Wednesday.

About 100 pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins have died in a mass stranding on the remote Chatham Islands, about 800 km (497 miles) off New Zealand`s east coast, officials said on Wednesday. Most of them were stranded during the weekend but rescue efforts have been hampered by the remote location of the island. New Zealand`s Department of Conservation (DOC) said in total 97 pilot whales and three dolphins died in the stranding, adding that they were notified of the incident on Sunday. "Only 26 of the whales were still alive at this point, the majority of them appearing very weak, and were euthanised due to the rough sea conditions and almost certainty of there being great white sharks in the water which are brought in by a stranding like this,” said DOC Biodiversity Ranger Jemma Welch. Mass strandings are reasonably common on the Chatham Islands with up to 1,000 animals dying in a single stranding in 1918. Mass whale strandings have occurred throughout recorded modern history, and why it happens is a question that has puzzled marine biologists for years. In late September, several hundred whales died in shallow waters off the Australian coast in one of the world`s biggest mass whale strandings.

Nearly 100 whales die after mass stranding in New Zealand

Marine biologists are investigating the deaths of at least six whales found washed up on France’s western shores with no apparent sign of having been hit by a ship or caught in a trawler’s net.

Researchers on Monday used a mechanical digger and long knives to dissect a fin whale, the second-largest species of whale after the blue whale, taking samples they believe might reveal evidence of a viral pathogen.

In an average year, between three and, at most, 10 whales are deposited dead on France’s beaches, they say.

“We have what is almost an epidemic or, at any rate, an abnormal spike in deaths,” said Willy Dabin, a researcher from the Pelagis Observatory working on the corpse.

The most recent fin whale corpse was found on Friday near Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It measured nearly 16 metres and weighed an estimated 10 tonnes.

The common fin whales have all died within the past six weeks. All have been malnourished and shown evidence of haemorrhaging in the cardiac and respiratory systems.

“The question lurking in the background is: are humans a contributing factor in their capacity to upset the environment?” Dabin said. “Either by impacting food availability or polluting the living environment, which could leave the whales more vulnerable to disease.”

Officials put guards near the carcass at the weekend to keep intrigued locals at a distance.

“It’s disgusting,” said one local man. “I don’t know how they’re going to remove it. Cut it up piece by piece?”

Marine biologists are investigating the deaths of at least six whales found washed up on France’s western shores with no apparent sign of having been hit by a ship or caught in a trawler’s net.

Marine biologists are investigating the deaths of at least six whales found washed up on France’s western shores with no apparent sign of having been hit by a ship or caught in a trawler’s net. Researchers on Monday used a mechanical digger and long knives to dissect a fin whale, the second-largest species of whale after the blue whale, taking samples they believe might reveal evidence of a viral pathogen. In an average year, between three and, at most, 10 whales are deposited dead on France’s beaches, they say. “We have what is almost an epidemic or, at any rate, an abnormal spike in deaths,” said Willy Dabin, a researcher from the Pelagis Observatory working on the corpse. The most recent fin whale corpse was found on Friday near Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It measured nearly 16 metres and weighed an estimated 10 tonnes. The common fin whales have all died within the past six weeks. All have been malnourished and shown evidence of haemorrhaging in the cardiac and respiratory systems. “The question lurking in the background is: are humans a contributing factor in their capacity to upset the environment?” Dabin said. “Either by impacting food availability or polluting the living environment, which could leave the whales more vulnerable to disease.” Officials put guards near the carcass at the weekend to keep intrigued locals at a distance. “It’s disgusting,” said one local man. “I don’t know how they’re going to remove it. Cut it up piece by piece?”

Abnormal spike in deaths: Emaciated fin whales are washing up dead on French shores

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia.

The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals.

It was "absolutely remarkable" another whale was found alive six days after the pod was first discovered, a Tasmania environment department spokeswoman told AFP, adding that it had been taken back out to sea.

More than 100 rescuers toiled for days in chilly waters, but many volunteers and conservationists have now packed up as efforts turned to disposing of the remaining carcasses.

"There has been a tremendous team effort and this combined commitment has allowed us to get as many whales as we can back out to sea," Parks and Wildlife Service manager Rob Buck said of the "complex rescue".

With more than 300 carcasses spread across a 10-kilometre area (about 6 miles), authorities shifted their focus Sunday to a mass sea burial.

Boats have begun towing the dead whales into the open ocean, where they will be released over several days.

Authorities have warned that more whales could be found in the area, with some animals likely to become beached for a second time.

The causes of mass strandings remain unknown, but some experts have suggested the pod may have gone off track after feeding close to the shoreline or by following one or two whales that strayed.

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia. The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals.

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia. The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals. It was "absolutely remarkable" another whale was found alive six days after the pod was first discovered, a Tasmania environment department spokeswoman told AFP, adding that it had been taken back out to sea. More than 100 rescuers toiled for days in chilly waters, but many volunteers and conservationists have now packed up as efforts turned to disposing of the remaining carcasses. "There has been a tremendous team effort and this combined commitment has allowed us to get as many whales as we can back out to sea," Parks and Wildlife Service manager Rob Buck said of the "complex rescue". With more than 300 carcasses spread across a 10-kilometre area (about 6 miles), authorities shifted their focus Sunday to a mass sea burial. Boats have begun towing the dead whales into the open ocean, where they will be released over several days. Authorities have warned that more whales could be found in the area, with some animals likely to become beached for a second time. The causes of mass strandings remain unknown, but some experts have suggested the pod may have gone off track after feeding close to the shoreline or by following one or two whales that strayed.

Final whale saved from grim Australia mass stranding

The majority of a 470-strong pod of pilot whales found stranded off Australia's remote southern coast has died, officials said on Wednesday (September 23) as rescuers struggled in freezing waters and fading light to free those still alive.

Australia: At least 380 pilot whales dead in mass stranding

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