A pregnant female was among a pod of 23 pilot whales found dead after a mass stranding in Orkney.
The whales were discovered on the Orkney island of Sanday on Sunday.
It is thought they may have been dead for several days. Tests are being carried out.
Emma Neave-Webb, of Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (Smass), said the whales appeared to have been healthy, and that the cause of the incident may never be known.
Ms Neave-Webb told BBC Radio Orkney she spent Sunday taking samples from the pod.
