Whale had lung problems, parasites, scientist says

Hemorrhaging, congested lungs and a parasite infestation were found in a malnourished 11 1/2-foot pygmy sperm whale that washed ashore Aug. 31 at Isle of Palms, a marine scientist said.

It was the latest in a spate of pygmy sperm whale strandings that have ocean researchers puzzled. Nine have happened in the past month from Florida to North Carolina, including one at Folly Beach on Aug. 22.

"We're trying to find out what's going on because we can't determine it right now. We don't know. It's a big mystery at this point," said Wayne McFee, a marine biologist with the National Ocean Service in Charleston.

The strandings are significant because they could provide clues about the ocean's health, he said.

A serious heart disease known as cardiomyopathy has been found in about half of stranded pygmy whales. Meningitis has been discovered in some. But there is nothing that points to an epidemic of viral or bacterial infections, he said.

A 10-foot, poorly nourished, "heavily parasitized" pygmy washed ashore Aug. 22 at Folly Beach. Tissue samples from the Isle of Palms and Folly Beach whales' organs have been sent to a lab for analysis, McFee said.

Bottlenose dolphin comprise about 80 percent of marine mammal strandings in the state, with about 35 reported annually. The pygmy whale is the second-most-common stranding. Bacterial or viral infections, or entanglement in fishing nets have been causes of bottlenose dolphin deaths, he said.

Pygmy whales are deep-water mammals typically found near the Gulf Stream. They feed on squid and dive 3,200 feet or more for their prey. Two pygmy whales were found dead recently at Botany Bay Island off Edisto Island, he said. Because of the remote location, they were not retrieved for study, he said.

Pygmy strandings are erratic in the state. Some years there are none, but up to eight beached whales have been reported in other years, he said. South Carolina typically has 45 marine mammal strandings annually, he said.

In April 2007, officials euthanized an emaciated pygmy whale found on Sullivan's Island. The same month, another distressed pygmy was photographed off Kiawah Island and reportedly died. A pygmy and her calf stranded and died on Sand Island in Georgetown County in June 2005.

Scientists rely on the public to notify them about marine mammal strandings. The hot line to report a stranding is 800-922-5431.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@post and courier.com.