Carolina Residents Can't Save Stranded Whale

A pygmy sperm whale washed ashore at Holden Beach has died. Residents did their best to keep the 700-pound animal wet, but nobody could save the animal. Residents kept wet towels on the whale until UNCW's Marine Mammal Stranding Team transported the animal.

The pygmy sperm whale died as University of North Carolina Wilmington's Marine Mammal Stranding Team was transporting it to a veterinarian, said Ann Pabst, co-director of the stranding program. An examination of the nearly 700-pound, 11-foot long animal showed he had several health problems, she said.

"It's an animal that should never be close to shore," she said, noting it's too early to tell exactly what caused the whale to show up on the strand. The whale was spotted off Ocean Isle Beach the night before, but the team cannot safely work in the dark, Pabst said. She said several members of the public assisted in keeping water on the whale when it was on Holden Beach.

She said the team appreciated the help. But she reminded the public to always be careful if there is a stranded mammal because they are large and can unintentionally be dangerous. She advised people to call local law enforcement if they see a live or dead marine mammal on shore. The team investigates all stranded mammals.