Pygmy Sperm Whale Calf Succumbs After Beach Stranding at Emerald Isle

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WNCT) — On April 23, 2025, a live newborn pygmy sperm whale was found stranded on the shore of Emerald Isle.

The deceased whale was a female, and she passed away moments before a rescue team could reach her. According to experts, pygmy sperm whales are deep divers that inhabit open waters; they seldom come close enough to be observed because they spend most of their time far below the sea's surface.

They mentioned that typically these whales get stranded in mother-calf pairs, but in this case, the whale’s mother was missing.

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