RESCUE UNDERWAY FOR 30 BEACHED WHALES

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A pod of 25 to 30 pilot whales have beached themselves across approximately five miles of beach near Oregon Inlet, N.C., this morning.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) coordinates response to marine mammal strandings throughout the U.S. with the help of many partners who are members of the National Stranding Network.

Coast Guard crews and National Park Service personnel are also assisting in the rescue and recovery of the whales.

The Stranding Network has advised the public to report any other beached whales to (305) 862-2850. Do not attempt to move or free any whale that is beached. Please contact those trained professionals who are coordinating the rescue.

“NOAA Fisheries has biologists working this situation. We’ll know more once we see some of the animals,” said Laura Engleby, NOAA Fisheries marine mammal biologist. “It’s always tough when large numbers of marine mammals strand themselves like this, but we are continuing to learn as much as we can about why this happens, and what we can do to help.”

RESCUE UNDERWAY FOR 30 BEACHED WHALES

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A pod of 25 to 30 pilot whales have beached themselves across approximately five miles of beach near Oregon Inlet, N.C., this morning.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) coordinates response to marine mammal strandings throughout the U.S. with the help of many partners who are members of the National Stranding Network.

Coast Guard crews and National Park Service personnel are also assisting in the rescue and recovery of the whales.

The Stranding Network has advised the public to report any other beached whales to (305) 862-2850. Do not attempt to move or free any whale that is beached. Please contact those trained professionals who are coordinating the rescue.

“NOAA Fisheries has biologists working this situation. We’ll know more once we see some of the animals,” said Laura Engleby, NOAA Fisheries marine mammal biologist. “It’s always tough when large numbers of marine mammals strand themselves like this, but we are continuing to learn as much as we can about why this happens, and what we can do to help.”