Pilot Whale Found Dead at Hilton Head Island
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Tragedy struck Hilton Head Island early on Thursday morning, as a 15-foot-long pilot whale was found dead after being stranded on the beach. The unfortunate incident occurred at Port Royal Plantation and was discovered by an early riser around 6 a.m.
Despite desperate attempts by over half a dozen people to return the large mammal back into the waters, the 700-pound whale died shortly after. The cause of the whale’s beaching and subsequent death remains unclear. Local authorities conducted a necropsy on the whale, but the findings could not help ascertain why the whale ended up on the beach.
Investigations Underway
Further probe into the whale’s mysterious death is on-going. Jessica Conway, a marine mammal technician with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), confirmed that tests for possible viruses or other health conditions are being carried out. The results of these investigations, however, are expected to take several weeks.
Not an isolated incident
This is not an isolated event; it marked the first recorded incident of a pilot whale washing up on the shores of Beaufort County since 2012. The earlier incident involved a similar beaching on Hunting Island.
Beaching is usually symptomatic of potential issues with marine life, ranging from navigational errors, sickness, or injuries, to harmful human activities. The death of this pilot whale presents another opportunity for further research and action to safeguard marine life.
