A group of whales stranded themselves on Saturday morning just up the highway from Beaufort at Edisto Beach.
The four whales appear to be pilot whales, according to marine biologist Peyton Sasnett, who went to the scene Saturday morning. The whales were found early Saturday morning, she said.
Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network Director Lauren Rust said the whales were discovered on the beach at approximately 7am Saturday, but it was not clear how long they had been on the beach. One of the whales died and three were euthanized, she said.
“Pilot whales are normally found at least 100 miles or more offshore,” Rust said. “So when you see them come this close to shore, it’s definitely alarming.”
In such situations, the whales are typically not pushed back into the water when they come so far to strand themselves.
“Nine times out of 10, they will restrand themselves,” Rust said. “So you’re prolonging the whale’s suffering, you’re prolonging the inevitable and you’re putting it out there for a preditor.”
It is not clear what caused the whales to strand themselves because there were no obvious signs of physical illness. But it’s not uncommon for whales to strand in groups when one or more of them is injured or becomes ill.
Sasnett estimated the whales are between 10 and 15 feet long.
Rust said two of the whales were smaller and it is possible it was two mother whales and their calves, who will usually strand if their mothers do.
“The young whales can’t survive without their mom,” Rust said.
Police on the beach were warning visitors not to touch or disturb the whales.
The results of the necropsy, similar to an autopsy for humans, won’t be complete for up to a few weeks. The tests will determine whether they suffered internal injuries, a viral infection or fell ill because of human-related factors like consuming plastic in the ocean.
