VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — An endangered North Atlantic right whale was found dead offshore near Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, marking the 40th death in the ongoing “unusual mortality event” impacting the species.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the grim discovery on Tuesday, stating that the carcass was first spotted on Saturday by a company conducting Mid-Atlantic whale surveys for the Navy. The deceased whale, identified as female #1950, was seen floating approximately 50 miles offshore from the refuge.
Examination of the whale’s body revealed signs of partial consumption by sharks, and adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, posed challenges in retrieving the carcass. Nonetheless, NOAA, in collaboration with its partners, managed to tow the whale to shore for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
Female whale #1950 was a recent mother, having birthed her sixth calf during the winter season. NOAA records indicate her first sighting dating back to 1989. Tragically, her newborn calf was not found nearby, leading to its classification as a “seriously injured dependent calf” due to the loss of its mother. Experts from Whale and Dolphin Conservation expressed concerns over the calf’s survival prospects without maternal care.
At present, the exact cause of the whale’s death remains unknown, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding her demise are ongoing. Her last known sighting occurred on January 11 off St. Simons Sound in Georgia.
This latest fatality compounds the toll of six whale deaths observed off the coast of Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks. In March alone, five whales were discovered within a short timeframe, prompting necropsies to be conducted on local beaches.
Sarah Sharp, Animal Rescue Veterinarian with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, is assisting NOAA in determining the cause of death for the right whale. She expressed profound sadness over the loss of the mother whale and the dire situation facing her dependent calf.
“In March, a string of dead whales were found on local beaches. The first was a young humpback whale on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, followed by another humpback whale the next day near False Cape State Park.”
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