First recorded stranding of a short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in Britain

Abstract

• A male pilot whale, Globicephala sp., was reported as a live stranding on 1st March 2012 at Hazelbeach, near Neyland, Pembrokeshire. It was euthanased and its skull was recovered during an onsite necropsy. Examination of the skull and contemporary photographs of the stranded animal confirm that this is the first record of short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in Britain.