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Harbour porpoise. Image: Charlie Phillips/WDC

Speaking up for the little guys – WDC in action

Whales and dolphins face so many dangers. These intelligent beings are crucial for the wellbeing...
Humpback whale fluke in Alaska.

An unforgettable first encounter – observing the whales we work to protect

I have kept a dark secret since joining WDC back in June 2021. Despite my...

WDC in Japan – Part 2: Digital dolphins

Welcome to the second chapter of my incredible journey to build alliances in Japan. As...
Amanda the intern

Meet the 2023 Interns: Amanda Eskridge

We are so excited to welcome Amanda Eskridge, our final Marine Mammal Conservation Intern of...

Stranded Sowerby’s beaked whale on Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Today WDC assisted the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) to post mortem a young (3.5 metre) Sowerby’s beaked whale at the Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.

Sowerby's beaked whale


The whale was male, had a good blubber layer and had been a healthy individual. Cause of death was a blunt force trauma that resulted in a fractured lower jaw. The injury meant that the whale was not able to feed and as a result his stomach was empty.

Sowerby's beaked whale

Sand in his lungs indicated that the whale live stranded (probably on Monday afternoon), but a lack of muscular bruising suggested that he died within a short time of stranding.

A few Sowerby’s beaked whales strand each year around Scotland and a complete record of Scottish strandings can be found on the SMASS website