On the morning of June 24, Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program received a hotline report of a deceased humpback whale on Block Island. Program staff went to the stranding location to conduct an external exam, collect tissue samples and photographs. Due to the remote location and safety for personnel, a complete necropsy examination (internal exam) will not be feasible. The Mystic team was able to identify this animal as a mature female humpback whale. The external examination did not reveal any abnormalities or signs of injury.
Mystic sent photos to the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in the hopes of identifying this individual through their Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog. CCS recognized this whale as Binary, an individual that they knew well, having first encountered her in the late 1980s and subsequently cataloging her nine known calves over the years. In addition to regular sightings on her feeding ground of the Gulf of Maine, the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog (curated by Allied Whale, College of the Atlantic) confirmed that Binary also had prior sightings on the West Indies breeding ground. Her last sighting on record was by CCS in 2022.
Binary’s death is part of an unusual mortality event that has been underway along the U.S. East Coast since 2016. We are saddened by each and every case, but are also grateful to know when they occur and for each opportunity to learn more about what happened. Whale deaths along the U.S. East Coast are investigated by NOAA, members of the Greater Atlantic and Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Networks and their analytical partners.
The public is reminded that the humpback whale is a federally protected species making it illegal to touch or take any part of a deceased whale. There is always the potential for zoonotic disease transmission so extra caution should be taken in keeping pets and people at a distance. We appreciate the public’s respect in letting Binary rest peacefully.
Northeast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Entanglement Hotline: (866) 755-NOAA (866-755-6622)
Click here for more information about this Unusual Mortality Event.
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