Post mortem on stranded pilot whale underway

Species is notorious for mass strandings

May 2011: A post mortem of a pilot whale which died earliest this month at Sullom Voe is now underway.

A large group of 100 Pilot whales are in severe danger of stranding on South Uist.

Staff from the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) veterinary centre are undertaking the examination on the five-metre long whale. 

Karen Hall from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), said: ‘Although this is a sad end for the whale, it is important to investigate the cause of death. We know so little about these creatures that post mortems can provide useful information about the species - what condition the individual was in, whether it had been feeding or whether it had underlying disease or injury which caused it to strand.'

Pilot whales are notorious for mass stranding - a trait which has been exploited in the Faroes and explains their Shetland name of 'caa'ing whale'.

 
Other recent stranding incidents 

• 100 pilot whales in danger of stranding in Scotland. - May 2011.
• Last year, Wildlife Extra reported on the mass stranding of 33 long-finned pilot whales in Ireland.

Too big to send to the lab

‘Normally we would attempt to send dead dolphins south to the vet lab in Inverness but this whale is just too big for us to do that.  We are concerned some people are trying to touch the whale.

‘We are also concerned that some people were in the water attempting to touch the whale. Aside from the health and safety risk of being close to a large dying animal; all whales and dolphins are heavily protected by legislation and this type of action is an offence.

‘We would again remind people that whether they are on a boat or in the water, these animals should be given space and not disturbed. If there are any concerns about an animal's welfare the SSPCA should be contacted."