Second dead whale at the Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response team confirmed to WAVY Monday morning that a second dead whale is floating off the coast of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The team is monitoring its location. If the whale comes ashore, biologists will do a necropsy on it. If it stays out to sea, the team will let it be.
They did not provide its current location or what species it is.
This is the second dead whale at the Oceanfront in as many days. A young humpback whale washed ashore at the Oceanfront early Sunday morning.
Photo courtesy: James Ford Photo courtesy: James Ford Photo courtesy: James Ford Photo courtesy: James Ford Photo courtesy: James Ford
Endangered whale died after colliding with a ship
Virginia Beach police taped off the stretch of beach between 24th Street and 25th Street. The Virginia Aquarium’s Stranding Response team responded to the dead whale and moved it from the shorebreak to the beach to be monitored overnight.
Members of the stranding team returned to the site Monday to perform a necropsy and determine the cause of death.
Crowds of onlookers gathered around the stranded animal with cameras in hand to take pictures. However, the public is asked to keep a safe distance from whale and any gear used to move the whale.
According to the Virginia Aquarium, all whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Action which makes touching these animals illegal.
North Atlantic right whale necropsy in VB reveals cause of death
Around this same time last year, WAVY covered the deaths of several whales in Virginia Beach.
A 20-year-old North Atlantic Right Whale washed ashore on February 12, 2023. A necropsy determined it died from blunt force trauma, consistent with a vessel strike.
The week before, the aquarium response team assisted in bringing a dead humpback whale to shore in Virginia Beach, near First Landing State Park.
Adapting to protect: North Atlantic right whale vessel strikes demand immediate response
You can report a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead whale sighting to NOAA by calling 1-877-WHALE-HELP (866-942-5343.) There’s also a free Whale Alert App that allows you to see where whales have been spotted and add your own sighting. Download in the App Store or get it on Google Play.
Check with WAVY.com for updates.
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