MERR attempts to discover cause of whale stranding

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute sent responders March 31 to the site where a deceased humpback whale had stranded in Indian River Bay.

The 44-foot-long, sub-adult male was stuck on a sandbar, and initial attempts to tow the animal were unsuccessful due to its massive weight and the shallow water depth in the area. Tides and weather, including high winds, postponed further attempts to tow and land the whale for a necropsy. Another attempt was scheduled for April 9, when weather conditions would be more conducive to a successful towing effort.

However, heavy rains and strong westerly winds of April 7-8 floated the whale off the sandbar and into the inlet, where it temporarily lodged against the rocks. The outgoing tide and west winds quickly blew the whale out to sea, where it was last seen floating south.

While the whale was in the bay, MERR’s stranding coordinator was able to get to it via a small boat and collect some important baseline information along with samples to be evaluated for genetics and health indicators.

MERR thanks all who assisted with this challenging process, including the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Cape Water Tours, and BoatUS for towing.

Since nature took its course and moved the whale, there is no way to know if it will wash back in, but as always, MERR appreciates the help of boaters and beachgoers in reporting any sightings of the carcass by contacting the stranding hotline at 302-228-5029 with any information.

To learn more, go to merrinstitute.org.