The North Atlantic right whale carcass that was first reported floating off Martha’s Vineyard on Monday, August 27, was necropsied by a team from IFAW on August 30. The whale most likely died as a result of being entangled in gear and drowning, according to the information scientists obtained from the necropsy.

The male right whale was approximately 9 meters (30 feet) in length, which would make the whale about a year and a half old. It was likely one of the five calves born over the 2016-2017 season. Photo: A team from International Fund for Animal Welfare arrives to perform a necropsy on a deceased, juvenile North Atlantic right whale. The whale was discovered in Cape Cod waters by a recreational boater. The necropsy was performed in open water with a shark spotter to ensure everyone’s safety. Credit: IFAW, NMFS Permit #18786-03

While this whale was moderately decomposed and parts of the carcass were missing, the necropsy team documented 11 lesions, including several linear depressions and bruises that are consistent with entanglement in line, particularly around the right flipper. There was also significant shark predation on the carcass, which appears to have happened post-mortem. Photo: IFAW’s Brian Sharp and Dr. Sarah Sharp examine external wounds on the body of a deceased, juvenile North Atlantic right whale discovered in Cape Cod waters. The team took samples for further analysis, but findings indicate the cause of the death is likely to have been entanglement. Credit: IFAW, NMFS Permit #18786-03

The team took samples from various tissues and organs for further analysis, including any signs of infection or disease. However, given the bruises on the body, the necropsy team concluded that this whale likely died as a result of entanglement. No gear was present on the whale.

Right Whales in Crisis

In 2017, NOAA confirmed 17 North Atlantic right whale deaths–about 4 percent of their population–an alarming number for an endangered species with a population estimated at about 450 animals. In 2018, there have been two confirmed right whale mortalities. There are currently only about 100 females of breeding age in the population and more females seem to be dying than males. Births have also been declining in recent years, and no new calves were spotted in the calving grounds off Florida this year.

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.

Report a Stranded Marine Mammal

If you see a stranded marine mammal, please report it to our stranding hotline 866-755-NOAA (6622).