In 2024, nine whales have died in and around the Virginia and North Carolina coasts.
This tragic trend may be the result of human impact, according to experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
However, some activists argue that offshore wind farms are to blame.
Whatever the cause, here is a timeline and map of whales that have died off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts this year:
Jan. 8: A juvenile female dwarf sperm whale was discovered stranded near 315 Bay View Drive in Stumpy Point Bay on the Pamlico Sound.
March 3: Two dead whales are spotted in Virginia Beach, and were later determined to have entanglement scars.
The Virginia Aquarium confirms a dead whale was spotted drifting in Virginia Beach waters off the coast of False Cape State Park.
That same day, a second dead whale, a humpback, washed ashore at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront near 25th Street.
March 4: The first whale washes ashore Monday evening allowing a recovery team to perform a necropsy.
March 5: A dead minke whale washes up on a beach in Corolla, according to the Jennette's Pier stranding coordinator. NOAA later specified the whale was found stranded at Curritcuk 4WD Beach.
The pier's stranding coordinator said they were not sure whether the minke whale was connected to the other two whales that washed ashore in Virginia Beach days before.
A spokesperson with NOAA later said a necropsy determined the whale showed signs of having contracted an infectious disease.
March 8: A dwarf sperm whale is spotted dead near Barnes Street in Nags Head, according to NOAA. The whale was a pregnant female with an intact two-foot fetus.
One more dwarf sperm whale was found dead that same day — a juvenile — suspected to be offspring of the mature female.
The juvenile was found off of East Gull Street, just a few miles away from where the pregnant female in Nags Head was discovered.
A necropsy revealed the pregnant female's stomach was full of nematodes, also known as roundworm, and her lung airways had become calcified.
March 11: The Virginia Aquarium provides information following their necropsy of the first two dead whales.
According to the aquarium, both whales had healed from previous entanglements.
Entanglements happen when marine animals get tangled in objects like fishing gear, rope, and trash, according to NOAA.
The Virginia Aquarium said entanglements are a sub-lethal, chronic part of whales' lives, and our actions can adversely impact marine life.
Both whales also had abnormal skin lesions, the aquarium said.
March 16: A female minke whale was discovered at Wallops Island. Officials say a "limited exam" was done.
April 2: An endangered female North Atlantic right whale is found dead about 50 miles offshore from Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, NOAA reports.
NOAA says she was a mom from the 2024 calving season.
Her calf was not seen near her carcass, according to NOAA.
NOAA Fisheries and their partners towed the whale to shore for a necropsy, and say the carcass was scavenged by sharks, along with added logistical towing challenges of wind, weather, and distance from shore.
NOAA researchers say they're seeing a spike in deaths from humpback whales, minke whales, and North Atlantic right whales.
April 16: A dead whale washes up at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, according to the state's U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The USFWS confirms in a statement that the whale was anchored so biologists could perform a necropsy when the tide allowed.
A spokesperson with NOAA later stated the whale showed signs of having been entangled in a gillnet.
View details including photos, locations and previous news coverage in this interactive map below:
Stay with News 3 for updates.
