A pod of 77 pilot whales have died after a mass stranding on a beach in Orkney. 

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was rushed to Tresness beach on the Isle of Sanday just before 11am on Thursday to reports of a mass stranding of whales.

They found 77 whales, including several males up to 22ft (7m) long, as well as calves and juveniles.

Only 12 survived what is believed to be the largest mass stranding in Scotland since 1975.

However, on Friday, the BDMLR issued an update to say the surviving whales have been euthanised.

The statement said: “Sadly the remaining 12 pilot whales have been euthanised due to their condition deteriorating from the many hours they have spent stranded on the beach.”

Crushing injuries

When whales are out of water, having to carry their own weight can result in fatal crushing injuries, the BDMLR said.

They can also inhale water from the incoming tide.

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“The substrate they’re on is also incredibly soft meaning they have sunk even deeper into the sand when the tide washed over them, so they unfortunately weren’t able to refloat themselves,” the statement added.

The experts say there is no indication why the whales became stranded – but it is likely one got into difficulty and the rest followed.

The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) will attempt to remove the whales’ bodies on Friday and carry out post-mortem examinations.

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‘Huge task’

But the BDMLR warned this will be a “huge task” and it “may be some time before full results are available”.

The organisation thanked local volunteer rescuers and farmers for their help.

There have been similar incidents in recent years. Last year all 55 of the whales washed up on a beach on the Scottish Isle of Lewis died.

Between 60 and 70 of the mammals were stranded in shallow waters in Sutherland in 2011.

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