Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale Strands at Dockweiler Beach, Necropsy and Further Testing to Shed Light on Species Threats

No immediate indication of cause of death found in the rare stranding of pygmy sperm whale

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This past weekend, the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC) responded to a call on a rare pygmy sperm whale struggling in the surf at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. The whale – an adult female approximately 10 feet long and 850 pounds – had no obvious signs of trauma or injury but was experiencing respiratory distress, and her prognosis for survival was very poor.

With assistance from LA County Lifeguards and LA County Beaches and Harbor, MMCC response staff brought the whale onto the beach using a special stretcher. The animal was then moved to the back of MMCC’s rescue truck, where MMCC veterinarians Dr. Michelle Rivard and Dr. Mattison Peters conducted exams. After consulting with MMCC’s partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it was determined that humane euthanasia was the best course of action.

“Pygmy sperm whales don’t show up on local beaches unless there is something wrong, so we started with a strong indication of poor health by virtue of the stranding itself,” said Dr. Peters.

A complete necropsy – an autopsy for animals – was performed by experts from MMCC, Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance (OARRA), and the Natural History Museum Los Angeles. The whale was found to be pregnant and slightly underweight, but there is no immediate indication of what may have caused her to strand. Experts also conducted a detailed exam of the unborn calf.

“This case highlights the importance of collaborative research in understanding marine mammal health and oceanic changes,” said Keith Matassa, CEO & Founder of OARRA. “Each necropsy provides invaluable data, helping us piece together the bigger picture of threats facing marine life, the environment, and ultimately human health.”

The team collected a wide array of samples that will be processed, analyzed, and sent for testing over the coming weeks, offering deeper insight into potential environmental, infectious, or human-related factors that may have contributed to the whale’s death. A full report will be released once all data has been processed and reviewed.

“Whale strandings are always logistically and mentally challenging, so we do everything in our power to minimize animal suffering while doing everything possible to learn more about a species where not much is known,” said Dr. Rivard.

“The necropsy findings will help us better understand threats to this species, and by sharing what we learn with other researchers and policymakers, we can take proactive measures to mitigate these threats,” said John Warner, CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. “Whales are threatened by human activities throughout the world, which means we also have the power – and the responsibility – to protect them.”

Little is known about pygmy sperm whales and their population size because they spend very little time at the water’s surface and almost never approach vessels. They only come to the surface when sea and weather conditions are calm – making pygmy sperm whale sightings rare.

When they are seen at the surface, pygmy sperm whales are usually either swimming slowly or lying still (also known as “logging”). They will slowly sink and disappear from view without showing their flukes before diving back into the water. While they have a blowhole, they do not have a visible blow at the surface.

Through the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA Fisheries coordinates a network of organizations, including MMCC and OARRA, to respond to stranded live and dead marine mammals in California.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos and captions can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Cjzj-ptp_thR-JZmbp85UbrsSA_ccYJt?usp=share_link

ABOUT MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER LOS ANGELES:

The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a leader in the field of marine mammal health and conservation. MMCC is the only organization authorized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to respond to marine mammals in distress year-round along the entire Los Angeles County coastline from Malibu to Long Beach, Catalina Island, and at sea.

ABOUT OCEAN ANIMAL RESPONSE AND RESEARCH ALLIANCE:

The Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance (OARRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the response and scientific research of deceased stranded and floating marine mammals and sea turtles in Los Angeles County, from the Long Beach border to Malibu, including Catalina Island. Authorized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), OARRA conducts necropsies, collects critical data, and investigates tragic mortality cases to advance marine conservation. Through collaborative research, public engagement, and environmental advocacy, OARRA works to uncover and share the stories behind these losses—because the health of our marine mammals and the oceans are directly connected to the health of humanity. To report marine animal mortalities in LA County, call OARRA’s hotline at 949-276-2237.

• For more information about Ocean Animal Response & Research Alliance, visit www.oarra.org
• For more information about Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, visit www.marinemammalcare.org