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© CrownPilot whales: Mammals stranded on island near Skye.
Eight whales have died and 11 others are stuck on a beach after a mass stranding.

The pilot whales became trapped on the beach on the Isle of Skye at 4am on Tuesday.

Two of the 21 whales died before a British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team were able to re-float them.

A pregnant female who was not expected to survive was euthanised after a local vet found her calf had died.

Shortly after their rescue, 16 whales re-stranded themselves on nearby Staffin Island. Five later died.

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© Crown
A BDMLR spokesman said: "Sixteen of the re-floated animals have re-stranded on Staffin Island itself and are being given first-aid by the BDMLR team. They are not in an easy position as have stranded awkwardly on rocks, meaning it is difficult to relieve the pressure on their bodies."

The pod was first spotted off Staffin at 4.30pm on Monday.

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© Crown

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© Crown