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In-depth analysis of live-stranded long-finned pilot whale samples: Stable isotope and genetic investigation of a fatal long-finned pilot whale mass stranding event (Isle of Lewis, 2023) 2026

Abstract

The mass live-stranding of 55 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) on 16 July, 2023, at Tolsta Beach, Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides, Scotland), represents a rare and scientifically valuable opportunity to investigate the health, ecology, and potential causes of stranding in this data-deficient species.

This event, the largest recorded fatal mass stranding event (MSE) in Scotland since 1927, provided access to tissue samples from relatively healthy animals. This offers a unique contrast to samples from many dead-stranded individuals, which are often biased by unknown factors contributing to their stranding. The comprehensive necropsies and extensive tissue sampling conducted shortly after the stranding enabled the collection of high-quality biological material and metadata, including age class, sex, reproductive status, and cause of death. These samples, combined with multidisciplinary analyses (genetic, isotopic, fatty acid, metabolomic, pathological, and microbiological), provide an unprecedented opportunity to address critical knowledge gaps in the ecology and conservation of long-finned pilot whales in UK waters.

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Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2026··

Citation
Plint, T., Ball, R., McKeown, N., Kebke, A. & Brownlow, A. 2026. In-depth analysis of live-stranded long-finned pilot whale samples: Stable isotope and genetic investigation of a fatal long-finned pilot whale mass stranding event (Isle of Lewis, 2023). JNCC Report 821. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report was produced for JNCC under an external contract funded by Defra through the Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·03·25

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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