Scientists Investigate Why a Sperm Whale Washed Up Along Hilton Head, South Carolina

May 3, 2025: 6:42 p.m

A male sperm whale washes up along Hilton Head, South Carolina. The animal is just inside the surf struggling to survive. A team of marine mammal experts from South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina start to assemble to make their way to the beach. They determine the animal will need to be euthanized once the team arrives, if still alive, given its extremely poor condition. Law enforcement ropes off the area around the whale to keep the whale and onlookers safe. While the cause of death is still unknown, the animal is emaciated.

May 4, 2025: 7:00 a.m.

After quick planning calls, teams from across the Southeast collect equipment and materials and make their way to the scene to support local teams onsite. The goal is to humanely euthanize the whale and prepare for necropsy. Marine mammal experts work to keep the animal comfortable until the vet and specialized euthanasia equipment arrive. Shortly after sunset the team humanely euthanizes the animal using drugs to first sedate it, followed by an injection of non-toxic potassium chloride to stop its heart. The time of death is just before 10:00 p.m. An employee with the town of Hilton Head Island stays with the animal overnight.

The team will meet in the morning to conduct the necropsy in an effort to determine how the animal became sick and stranded. Large, deep diving whales strand for a number of reasons, they can be sick or injured-the team plans to learn more tomorrow.

May 5, 2025: 7:30 a.m.

Shortly after 7:30am a large excavator pulls the animal up out of the tideline for necropsy. Then it will be buried. Biologists take photographs and measurements of the whale before taking a closer look inside. The necropsy is complete just after 5:00pm and the animal is buried on site.

Thank you to our dedicated partners:

• Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, North Carolina Aquariums, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Aquarium, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Savannah State University, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, NOAA Fisheries, the University of Florida, and NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and in collaboration with the Town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and Beaufort County Sheriff's Office