COROLLA, N.C. — A young humpback whale was found stranded on a sandbar in Corolla on the Outer Banks Thursday, officials said. The female whale weighed about 30 tons and was more than 33 feet long.
"This is our a typical juvenile humpback whale that we see this time of year. Our season runs from December through April, May for seeing Humpbacks along our beach," said Marina Doshkov, the marine mammal stranding coordinator for the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Marine responders are working to figure out the cause of death.
Supposedly stuck during a low tide cycle, beachgoers spotted the young whale struggling in the surf near one of the popular beach access points. Experts said this isn't uncommon, but the presence of a large whale so close to shore is a rare and dramatic event.
"Marine mammals can strand for a variety of reasons," according to the organization. "Some identified causes have included diseases, parasites, boat or ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution exposure, starvation, and harmful algal blooms, such as red tide."
Officials ask any beachgoers who see a stranding to not enter the water or push the animal back out to sea.
“In addition, strandings often occur after unusual weather or oceanographic events," OBX MMSN said. "In many cases, the cause of stranding remains unknown."
Humpback whales are known to migrate along the Atlantic coast in the spring. This young mammal might have been navigating unfamiliar waters or following prey too close to shore, officials said.
Officials encourage any beachgoers to immediately report any future sightings of marine mammals in distress to the Marine Mammals Stranding Network hotline at (252) 241-5119.