Whale washes ashore near Indian River Inlet

A 50-foot fin whale, weighing an estimated 100,000 pounds, became stranded on the beach just north of Indian River Inlet May 5.

On May 6, the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute reported the whale had died.

Suzanne Thurman, MERR founder and executive director, said heavy equipment would move it farther up the beach so experts could perform a necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy.

Thurman said it was premature to speculate on the cause of death.

She said the whale would be buried on the beach and become part of the ecosystem.

MERR’s team of marine animal experts and volunteers first responded to assess the whale's condition Sunday. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control also responded. 

Thurman said surf conditions made it too risky to try to sedate the whale Sunday afternoon. She said the whale was extremely emaciated and likely had been sick for a long time.

Thurman said fin whales are an offshore species that do not normally come near the shoreline unless they are becoming so weak they can no longer surface to breathe, and they head into shore. 

A large crowd had gathered on the beach to catch a glimpse of the enormous sea creature.

"I just wanted to try and help it," said Liana Jamison, who just moved to the area from California. She said she had previously seen a beached whale in San Francisco.

Part of the beach was roped off to keep people at a safe distance. MERR volunteers answered questions about whales.

The Cape Gazette reported on a similar size fin whale that washed up at The Point in Cape Henlopen State Park in August 2021.

A necropsy determined that whale died from a significant parasitic infection.

To report a stranded marine animal, call MERR at 302-228-5029.