TLDRA report from the Scottish government’s Marine Directorate concludes that the mass stranding of 55 pilot whales on the Isle of Lewis in 2023 was due to the whales' loyalty to their pod, specifically following a female having a difficult birth. The whales moved into shallow water, likely due to social cohesion, and became trapped in an 'acoustic trap' that prevented them from safely navigating back to deeper water.

Source: The Guardian March 08, 2026 03:38 UTC