In a tragic turn of events, a group of 77 long-finned pilot whales encountered a mass stranding off the northeast coast of Scotland's Orkney archipelago. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), a marine life rescue charity, reported that out of the 77 whales, 65 were found dead and 12 had to be euthanized due to their deteriorating condition.

The BDMLR released a statement, expressing their sorrow over the whales' plight. The stranded whales had been on the beach for an extended period, resulting in crush injuries from their own weight. Additionally, the incoming tide led to the inhalation of water, further worsening their condition. The whales had also sunk deeper into the sand, preventing them from refloating themselves.

Despite the rescue efforts of the BDMLR, the remaining whales were unable to be saved. The organization expressed their intent to recover as many of the whales as possible for post-mortem examinations.

The cause behind the mass stranding remains unknown. The BDMLR stated that there were no obvious indications as to why the whales had stranded themselves. The organization pointed out that pilot whales, being highly social animals, often stick together and rely on family bonds. It is possible that one of them encountered difficulty, and the rest of the pod stranded alongside it, refusing to abandon their struggling comrade.

While this is considered a significant mass stranding, it is not the largest recorded. Last year, 55 pilot whales washed ashore on Scotland's Lewis Island, off the northwest coast. More substantial incidents have occurred in different parts of the world, particularly in New Zealand and Australia.

The BDMLR has been actively involved in rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals, but incidents like these highlight the challenges faced in safeguarding the well-being of these majestic creatures. The organization's rescue and community coordinator, Molly Brown, emphasized the importance of understanding and protecting the social dynamics of pilot whales, expressing the species' strong familial bonds.

As marine conservation and rescue efforts continue, experts and organizations are working tirelessly to unravel the mysteries behind such mass strandings, aiming to prevent future incidents from occurring and ensuring the safety of these extraordinary marine beings.