Two Pilot Whales Die After Stranding on Northumberland Coast
Attempts to refloat the remaining live whales were unsuccessful due to tides and difficult access.
Two pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on the Northumberland coast. The animals were discovered on Coquet Island, where about a dozen had reportedly stranded.
Marine mammal medics from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) responded to the incident on Monday. Upon investigation, rescuers found six pilot whales: five on shore and one in the water. Two of the stranded whales were confirmed dead.
Attempts to refloat the live animals were hampered by tides and limited access to the island. The rescue teams withdrew once light faded on Sunday and again on Monday. The BDMLR stated they would remain along the coast to provide care and attempt to refloat any healthy whales.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has staff from the nearby Coquet Island nature reserve assisting the BDMLR with the response. A spokesperson for the RSPB described the situation as "distressing."
Authorities have confirmed this is not the same pod of whales that was recently guided out of the River Thames, as the distance between the two locations is too great for the species to have traveled within 24 hours.
Boats were launched by local volunteers with medics aboard, attempting to herd the whales back into deeper offshore waters. However, the animals remained close together, with one of the larger whales lying motionless on its side.