55 Whales Stranded on Beach: Brave Volunteer Shares Emotional Experience

In a remarkable display of dedication, Màiri Robertson Carrey, a volunteer marine mammal medic at Bumblebee Conservation Trust, spent her 12th wedding anniversary tending to 55 stranded pilot whales on a beach in northwestern Scotland. Carrey, driven by her passion for marine conservation, responded to a distressing text message requesting volunteers to assist with the stranded whales.

Carrey's husband wholeheartedly supported her decision, and the couple immediately embarked on the two-hour journey from their beach town of Scarista on the Isle of Harris to North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis. Arriving at the scene, they discovered that only 12 whales remained alive, comprising eight adults and four calves.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue was alerted to the pod of stranded pilot whales early on Sunday. Unfortunately, most of the whales perished shortly after being washed up on the beach. Refloating surviving stranded whales is a challenging task due to their size and weight, compounded by the tide working against the rescue efforts.

Despite the difficulties, a collective effort involving volunteers, marine charity workers, coast guard officials, and others managed to successfully refloat one whale. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the stranding and the subsequent deaths. A preliminary theory suggests that a vaginal prolapse in one of the deceased whales may have contributed to the entire pod becoming stranded. Pilot whales are known for their strong social and emotional bonds, leading them to follow and become stranded if one of their members is in distress.

While the analysis of all evidence is necessary before drawing a comprehensive conclusion, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, spearheading the investigation, has described this incident as potentially the largest fatal mass stranding event in Scotland in decades. Whale strandings have been on the rise in Britain, prompting experts to conduct further investigations into the underlying causes.

Whales can become stranded due to various reasons, such as illness, injury, separation of young mammals from their mothers, or elder members being separated from the pod. Once stranded, their immense weight of approximately two tons prevents them from returning to the water and supporting their own skeletal structure, leading to crushing injuries from the sand.

During the waiting period for the tide to shift, Carrey and other volunteers sought to provide comfort to the stranded mammals. Carrey, inspired by the belief that human voices can have a soothing effect, hummed and sang Scottish Gaelic songs to the whales she was tending to. Despite her valiant efforts and five hours of unwavering commitment, it was eventually decided that the remaining whales could not be refloated in the harsh wave conditions and would need to be euthanized.

Carrey described the day as an intensely emotional and harrowing experience that has left a lasting impact on her. She hopes to never witness such a distressing event again. The profound connection between the island's residents and nature has amplified the sense of gloom throughout the community, as these whales were a familiar presence in their everyday lives.

Although this was not Carrey's first encounter with a mass stranding near her hometown, it was the first time she volunteered to provide assistance. Having completed a comprehensive marine life medic training course, she was equipped with the necessary skills to support the rescue efforts. Carrey's husband, while unable to directly assist with the whales, played an essential role in documenting the event through photography and measurements for the subsequent investigation.

For Carrey, this wedding anniversary will forever be etched in her memory. Her selflessness and readiness to help in times of crisis serve as a testament to the power of human compassion and the urgent need for marine conservation efforts.