Pilot whale’s difficult birth may have triggered mass stranding

Members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue and other volunteers attempted to save some of the pilot whales.

In its report, SMASS said it found that a mature female had experienced a difficult birth.

The scientists said this suggested a “possible social trigger for the stranding”.

They added: “Strong social cohesion may have then led the entire group to follow the distressed individual into shallow waters.

“Once stranded, the animals were unable to refloat themselves due to a combination of surf generated by onshore winds and the soft sand substrate on the beach.”

Long-finned pilot whales are large dolphins and described by Whale and Dolphin Conservation as having “incredibly strong bonds”.