Yesterday morning, November 26, 2017, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center's Stranding Team responded to a stranded humpback whale whale in distress in Virginia Beach, just west of the Lynnhaven Pier.
The video below was posted to Facebook by 757ByAir.
The whale was found to be deceased, but details as to the cause of the death or the reason for the stranding are not yet known. ABC 13 reports that the "whale was a young juvenile less than 30 feet in length." The Virginia Aquarium will be performing a necropsy to determine the cause of death. The Virginia Aquarium urges:
"If you see a stranded animal, it is important that you call the Stranding Response Team as soon as possible at (757) 385-7575. If the animal is alive, your immediate call may make the difference for its survival. If the animal is dead, the sooner we can conduct an examination and necropsy (animal autopsy), the better the chances of discovering the cause of stranding and death. In addition, rapid response ensures that we can maximize the scientific research available from these amazing animals. The hotline is available 24 hours per day, every day of the year. When you call, we will ask for information on the location of the stranded animal, the species (if known), the size, the condition (alive or dead), and a phone number where we can call for further information."
This time of year, whales are not so uncommon towards the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. During the winter months, abundant food at the mouth of the Bay draws humpback and fin whales. According to the Nature Conservancy, they will feed along the Maryland and Virginia coast as they head south to mate and calve in tropical waters. From late December to mid-March, you might just catch a glimpse of a whale from Assateague Island National Seashore. And the Virginia Aquarium offers whale watching trips from Virginia Beach. Stay tuned for necropsy results.