Whales and dolphins are increasingly getting stranded around Scotland’s shores, study warns
Warning over number of animals being stranded on UK coastline
- A new study has revealed an exponential increase in whale and dolphin strandings along the Scottish coastline over the past 30 years.
- Researchers from the University of Glasgow analysed data from 5,147 marine mammals stranded between 1992 and 2022.
- Common dolphins and baleen whales showed particularly steep increases in strandings since 2010, with a disproportionate rise among juveniles.
- Harbour porpoises accounted for over half of all strandings, though increases were observed across all species studied.
- Experts warn the rising numbers indicate significant changes in the marine environment, urging targeted conservation efforts for at-risk species.