CONCERN has been raised after a major increase in the number of whales, dolphins and porpoises found stranded along Scotland’s coastline in recent weeks.

Experts who tag calls from members of the public said that 41 said 41 cetaceans were reported washed up by members of the public last month, more than double the 17 found in June.

The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), which logs the reports, said seven species were involved, the harbour porpoise the most common to be beached at 22.

Grey seals feeding on harbour seals, one from Shetland, two on Tiree and one at St Andrews, are thought to be partly to blame for a string of deaths.

The organisation said that 13 of the cetaceans were sighted beached on the east coast, four from the west coast, including the isles of Arran and Mull, three from Shetland and one each from the north coast and South Uist.

The SMASS added: “The next most commonly reported cetaceans were minke whales and Atlantic white-sided dolphins with three each reported. Two Atlantic white-sided dolphins were from Shetland and one from the east coast. Of the three minke whales, two were from the west coast and one was from Orkney.”

In addition, two long-finned pilot whales reported both from Shetland, including one that was found dead on the small island of Noss, which lies off the coast of Bressay.

The other was herded out of Vidlin Voe on July 20 only to re-strand and die in Basta Voe a week later. It was found during a post-mortem examination to have severely dilated cerebral ventricles and an excess amount of turbid cerebral spinal fluid. A diagnosis of neurobrucellosis is suspected.

Other reports sent to the SMASS included two white beaked dolphins, from Orkney and the east coast, whose carcasses have been sent away for samples by its volunteers.

The report added: “The remaining species were single strandings only, a common dolphin in Cromarty Firth and a Risso’s dolphin in Orkney both were too decomposed for collection.”

The other seven cetaceans were deemed too old or there was a lack of data to identify them. Four of them were from the west coast, one from the east and the other from the north.

A member of the public also reportedly successfully saved the life of dolphin in North Uist.”

Four harbour seals - one from Shetland, two from Tiree and one from St. Andrews - were thought to be victims of grey seal predation.

Meanwhile, two endangered otter pups made a 150-mile trip to safety after being rescued from the roadside in the highlands.Passer-by Clarinda Chant found the first pup by the side of the road near Clachtoll Beach in Sutherland, after several cars swerved to avoid it.

She put the otter pup in her car where it fell asleep and took it to her home to seek advice. The pup was dehydrated and in a state of stress – after consultation with the International Otter Survival Fund in Skye it was decided the otter needed professional care and would be moved to their facilities.

Noel Hawkins from British Divers Marine Life Rescue in Ullapool took the young otter to IOSF volunteer, Jackie West, in Achansheen and it was then tranferred to Skye.

While the first orphaned pup, named by volunteers as Ermintrude, was receiving care, a second was spotted in the same place, calling out in distress. The following day the young otter, named Jenson, also made the journey to receive treatment.

Mr Hawkins said he was delighted to be able to assist in their rescue: “It was a really great feeling. This is the first time I’d helped to rescue an otter, I’m used to seals, dolphins and whales. I used to think that seal pups were cute but otter pups take it to a whole new level.

“Knowing that you’ve helped two pups to safety, who have lost their parent, and that there is every chance they will be re-released in to the wild is just brilliant.”

After being in the care of IOSF since Thursday August 3, both orphaned pups are doing significantly better. They have received treatment for dehydration and have taken to eating fish - they will continue to be monitored closely and at the age of 12-15 months will be released back in to the wild in the area they were found.

This is the normal amount of time an otter pup would remain with their mother in the wild. It is thought that the siblings will be reunited in the coming days. Their care at IOSF involves minimal human contact so there is an easy transition from captivity to their natural habitat.

There have been a total of 80 marine-life strandings in Scotland in the month of July. The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme reported that the figure is more than double the amount of strandings in June. 22 harbour porpoises, 29 seals and four mink whales were amongst the animals founds stranded last month.