Up to 100 pilot whales are at danger of stranding in a South Uist sea loch in the Outer Hebrides. It is reported that many of the mammals have injuries to their heads which marine experts say may have been caused by attempts to strand themselves on the rocky shore. The whales have been in Loch Carnan since Thursday (19 May) afternoon and rescuers are currently battling to try and save them using inflatable pontoons to refloat any stranded whales.
Last year a smaller pod of pilot whales were seen in a similar situation in the loch. A few days later 33 whales, believed to be the same group, were found dead on an Irish beach.
UPDATE: Sat 21 May: Rescuers are still trying to get the whales back out to sea, but a sizeable number have significant injuries and experts fear that the pod may not want to abandon these members and this may be one reason why the healthy mammals are relunctant to leave the sea loch.
UPDATE: Sat 21 May 1PM: The pod of whales is now reported to have moved out from the loch and out of immediate danger but will be monitored over the next few days.
UPDATE: Sun 22 May 10AM: The 60-strong pod is now thought to have re-entered the relative shallow water of Loch Carnan with one dead whale seen in the water.
UPDATE: Sun 22 May 4PM: The pod has now left the loch following the death of a female whale which is believed to have died from an infection.