In a tragic event on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a beached sperm whale was euthanized late Sunday after veterinarians deemed the animal too ill for recovery. The whale, weighing approximately 20 tons (18,000 kilograms), was discovered near the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort on Saturday afternoon.
Veterinarians assessed the situation and identified the whale as a juvenile, severely emaciated and unlikely to survive. In response, a veterinarian from the University of Florida and specialized equipment were brought in to humanely sedate and euthanize the creature, as reported by the town of Hilton Head Island via social media.
A necropsy is being conducted on the 31-foot (9-meter) whale to ascertain the cause of its illness and subsequent beaching. Following the examination, authorities plan to bury the whale on the beach.
During the interim, the island’s sea turtle patrol, along with personnel from the Georgia Aquarium’s veterinary program, provided care by keeping the whale damp with towels and water until the specialized team arrived.
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida notes that whales often beach themselves when they are sick or injured. It is estimated that around 2,000 whales beach annually, with most instances unfortunately ending in the animal’s demise.
