Four More Whale Deaths along our Coast

The mysterious deaths of two humpback whales discovered on Virginia Beach’s shores have prompted investigations by marine authorities. Both incidents are being treated as separate cases, with the cause of death remaining unclear.

The first whale was found stranded Sunday morning on the Oceanfront near 25th Street, alarming beachgoers and sparking immediate response efforts. The second whale was discovered Monday morning approximately 40 minutes south at False Cape State Park.

Efforts to determine the cause of death intensified with the completion of a necropsy on the first whale by the Aquarium on Monday afternoon. According to the Aquarium, there were “no obvious signs” indicating what led to the whale’s death.

Photos of the whale on 25th Street in Virginia Beach by Douglas Luther.

As investigators grapple with the perplexing circumstances surrounding the humpback whales, a dead minke whale washed up on the Outer Banks Tuesday evening, marking the third such incident in as many days near the Virginia Beach coast. The whale was found on the beach outside Corolla, approximately two miles north of the end of the paved road, amplifying concerns about the health of marine ecosystems in the region.

A fourth whale has washed ashore on Nags Head next to Jeanette’s Pier on Friday, March 8. This time, it was a baby sperm whale.

The whale was breathing when originally spotted, but was later pronounced dead by officials with the North Carolina Aquarium at 3:48 p.m.

The series of whale strandings has drawn attention from marine scientists and conservationists, who are closely monitoring developments along the coast.