A deceased pygmy sperm whale calf was found washed up on the beach just east of South Beach Road in Buxton on Tuesday morning, January 7, at approximately 8:00 a.m.
The whale was discovered by beachgoers who immediately notified the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS).
CHNS personnel responded soon after the reported sighting, and removed the dead pygmy sperm whale from the beach.
According to Michelle Tongue, CHNS deputy chief of resource management and science, CHNS staff are currently completing an examination of the carcass in accordance with NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program’s training, guidance, and protocols. The data collected will be sent to NOAA and will be used to try to determine cause of death, if possible.
The pygmy sperm whale calf was found without any obvious injury or indication of cause of death.
More information on marine mammal necropsies can be found on NOAA Fisheries’ site here.
