Beginning of the procedure of burying the 77- whale pod.
A group of seventy-seven pilot whale that washed up on the coast of Orkney have begun the burial process.
Last Thursday, the whale were found on Sanday Island, suggesting the largest mass stranding whale in decades.
A dozen or so of the remaining animals were put down.
Multiple land areas were approved for corpse burial after archeological site assessments to ensure no disturbance.
By Wednesday, the funerals should be finished.
The pod included male whales measuring up to seven metres (22ft) long, along with females, calves and juveniles.
Tissue samples are being examined by cetacean experts to determine the reason of the stranding.
The whales were healthy before they came ashore, according to initial findings.
Disposal of the carcasses at sea was ruled out, following advice from environmental regulators.
Operation that is “challenging”
Hayley Green, who serves as the corporate director of neighborhood services and infrastructure for the Orkney Islands Council, stated that it had been “challenging” to locate eight locations that were suitable for making funeral arrangements.
As she explained, “Sanday is a land that is abundant in archaeology as well as protected bird and wildlife species.”
“However, thanks to the community I am pleased to report that this has now been achieved and those sites have already been cleared for use.”
She concluded by saying: “We hope that the burials will be completed today, or by Wednesday at the latest.”For the sake of everyone’s safety, we would like request that individuals refrain from participating in the burial process. We would also want to emphasize that this will not provide for a nice watching experience.
Farmers from the surrounding area have been lending a hand with the burying process.
The machinery and trailers used for digging are being utilized, and more equipment that arrived by ferry on Tuesday is also being utilized.
According to the Scottish government, the obligation for the disposal of whales that are shorter than 25 feet in length is with the regional authorities.
The statement continued by saying, “However, in exceptional circumstances, we will consider what support can be provided to local authorities affected on a case-by-case basis.”
Although pilot whales are gregarious creatures, they live in a social structure similar to that of a matriarch. The eldest female in the pod is considered to be the one who holds the position of power.
It is believed that this stranding is the greatest one to occur in the United Kingdom since 1927.
As a result of a stranding on Lewis, an entire pod of fifty-five pilot whales perished in the previous year.
