Sperm Whale Stranding on Hilton head island, SC

Providing care to the Sperm Whale

On Saturday evening May 3rd, we received a call about a juvenile sperm whale that had beached itself alive on Hilton Head Island. As South Carolina's only marine mammal first responder we jumped into action. Due to time of day and logistics we had a LMMN volunteer rope off the area until our team could get there the next day.

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May 4th, LMMN team arrived on seen to assess the animal's condition. It was immediately obvious this animal was sick and extremely emaciated. In collaboration with SE partner organizations, we assessed the whales condition, provided palliative care, and managed the the sensitive stranding site. Despite best efforts, the whale's health declined, and the animal was humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering- following federal protocols and veterinary guidance.

Multiagency collaboration with LMMN, NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, SCDNR, University of North Carolina Wilmington, University of Florida, North Carolina Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and Savannah State University.

On May 5, 2025, experts conducted a necropsy (animal autopsy) on the young male sperm whale, SC2519. Preliminary findings included emaciation, which most likely led to the whale’s live stranding on May 3rd. Additional histological and diagnostic testing of samples is pending to help understand the cause of the emaciation.

Animal being moved with help of town official's. Setting up for Necropsy. Lauren Rust talking to public.

It is important to remember that when a marine mammal strands it is usually because the animal is very sick. It is important for the public to not push animals back into the water as they will either re-strand at another location that is not as accessible to stranding network members, or could cause the animal to die at sea. This is because marine mammals breathe air just like humans, if they are too weak to swim to the surface to get that air they will unfortunately drown. That is why it is important to contact local marine mammal stranding networks as they will know how to best help these animals.

We would like to thank everyone who helped in this response such as NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of North Carolina Wilmington, University of Florida, North Carolina Aquarium, GADNR, Georgia Aquarium, The Town of Hilton Head Island, and Savannah State University. And an additional thank you to all the local town officials, restaurants, and hotels that reached out in providing equipment, food, and places to stay.

If anyone in South Carolina encounters a stranded or distressed marine mammal please call the 24/7 hotline at (843) 410-7990 and avoid approaching the animal.