Today the beached Atlantic right whale stranded on a shoal just off Cape Lookout was euthanized. NOAA’s fisheries service said the animal was in too bad of shape to be saved. The whale had been stranded for several days.
A civilian that was flying over the location notified authorities of what appeared to be a beached whale on Monday. Tuesday the Coast Guard confirmed the report. Unfortunately, as is often the case on the Crystal Coast the weather was not co-operating with rescue efforts. Due to rough seas and dangerous winds a rescue crew could not be sent right away by boat.
On Wednesday the Coast Guard carried NOAA staff and a veterinarian by helicopter to the shoal. They went at low tide and were even able to land on the temporarily exposed sandbar. The daring crew gave the whale a sedative to make it more comfortable
Today Coast Guard personnel flew over the whale and reported some movement. This afternoon a team arrived and assessed the right whale’s condition. The whale was euthanized by the team due to the poor condition of the whale. A necropsy will be performed in an effort to determine why the whale beached itself.
I read about several right whales beaching themselves. Another just occurred December 16, 2008. in Avon, NC. Another a few years back in 2004 beached itself in Ocean Sands, NC.
What makes these animals beach themselves? Is it something we humans are doing? Or is it a natural phenomena? Either way the right whale is endangered in a big way. It is estimated that only between 350-400 are left. They’re on the brink of extinction. Pretty sad when you think about it.
I only hope we can find a way to preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations to enjoy.