WHAT REALLY CAUSED THIS 65 FOOT ADULT FIN WHALE TO DIE?

WEST YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS – According to a media statement from the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources, on Thursday – May 8, 2025 – their agency responded to a report of a deceased whale on private property.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) was also notified and sent staff to evaluate the whale. The deceased animal was identified as an adult fin whale, 65 feet long, weighing approximately 80,000 to 100,000 pounds. It was reportedly determined that the whale was “recently deceased” and that it had washed ashore.

According to the YDNR media statement, “A limited examination, including biological sampling, was conducted to gather information and better understand the circumstances.”

The cause of the fin whale’s death has not yet been released. Was it natural causes? Or something else? HN will provide official updates as soon as they are released.

According to online sources, fin whales are the second-largest whale species after blue whales. They can grow up to 90 feet and weigh between 80,000 to 100,000 pounds. They are one of 16 species of “baleen whales,” with plates (or “whalebone”) in their mouths to sieve plankton from the water. They can live up to 100 years and consume up to 1.8 metric tons of food daily. (According to Wikipedia article sources, “Full physical maturity is attained between 25 and 30 years. Fin whales have a maximum life span of at least 94 years of age, although specimens have been found aged at an estimated 135–140 years.”)

Fin whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the public is urged to maintain a 150-foot distance and report sightings to NOAA’s stranding hotline at 866-755-6622 or IFAW at 508-743-9548.

According to Wikipedia, “The only known predator of the fin whale is the killer whale, with at least 20 eyewitness and second-hand accounts of attack or harassment. They usually flee and offer little resistance to attack.”

So what caused this particular whale’s death?

[HN’S NOTES & MULLINGS ON THE MATTER]

According to online sources: Cape Cod has recently experienced a significant increase in marine mammal strandings and deaths, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with 2024 marking a particularly unprecedented year. Reports indicate 600 marine mammal strandings in 2024, more than double the annual average, with 376 being dolphins — over six times the typical annual average of 57 (IFAW, 2024). A notable event was the largest mass dolphin stranding in U.S. history in June 2024 in Wellfleet, involving 146 dolphins, of which 102 survived (IFAW, 2024).

“Experts” point to several contributing factors. Cape Cod’s hook-shaped geography and extreme tidal ranges of 9 to 12 feet create navigational challenges, often trapping marine mammals in shallow waters or on exposed sand flats (IFAW, 2024). “Climate change” plays a significant role according to some, with warming waters and shifting ocean conditions pushing animals into unfamiliar areas (NOAA Fisheries, 2024). Cold-stunned turtles for example, particularly the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley species, have also stranded in higher numbers — over 500 in 2024 compared to a historical average of 170 — due to rapidly cooling waters (Mass Audubon, 2024). Human activities like noise pollution, overfishing, and entanglement in fishing gear further contribute by causing stress, injury, or disorientation (NOAA Fisheries, 2024).

THE PROVERBIAL “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM”:

With some asking, “But why the sudden spike in strandings and deaths?”

Just asking the question gets many people fired up! HN has observed that when news consumers ask themselves why these increases are seemingly happening all of a sudden, the online comments quickly descend into heated debates. Some speculating that the recent, unprecedented development of offshore wind farms may be a major factor, as mentioned in various posts on X and Facebook, though the wind farm theory remains inconclusive without further evidence and objective study (HN’s observations of X and Facebook posts and comments, 2024 to the present).

And while some point a finger at wind farms, others remain true to their beliefs in the “climate change” theory, Cape Cod navigational challenges, and other human causes.

And then suddenly, for some bizarre reason, the comments almost always quickly descend further into political slurs, with one side calling out “MAGA idiots and Trumpers,” while the other side fires back with words like “libtards” and “snowflakes.” And it gets even nastier, with words like “nazis, fascists, groomers, and perverts” somehow making their way into the conversation…. it’s truly bizarre, twisted… and unsettling…

… but meanwhile, our precious sea creatures are still dropping like flies!

Will people (certain “scientists” included) ever put aside their old theories, preconceived notions, hatred, and biases to objectively find the truth? And if they do, will we ever truly believe them in today’s overly politicized, contentious world? Without everyone being blinded by their particular, long-held political beliefs?

Maybe it’s that small percentage of Native American blood they say I have (confirmed by modern DNA tests) that causes my mind to be partially influenced by a sort of nature-based spirituality… and, as strange as this may sound, I currently sense that the whales and dolphins are somehow able to sense all of our noisy dysfunction, hatred, divisiveness, and political blindness happening between fellow mammals here on dry land…

… and I think they’re disappointed…

… and deeply depressed (no pun intended).

And if one cannot already tell, I’m not a fan of turning our waterways and seabeds into industrialized, unnatural wind/energy projects.

I personally believe we have violated an ancient trust… that says we humans are supposed to remain mostly above the ocean’s surface, while our sea creatures are supposed to be able to peacefully enjoy the world below it…

… and I believe we’ve really screwed up big this time…

… and that the damage may be irreversible.

The Town of Yarmouth is reportedly working with Federal, State, and local partners to come up with the best way to dispose of the whale in accordance with Federal requirements. [UPDATE 5/15/25: A source just clarified that the rope seen tied to the whale is actually being used to secure the whale so it won’t float away before removal efforts…]

The whale is currently washed up into the shallow waters off a private beach on the east side of Great Island. It’s a difficult scene to reach because it’s surrounded by private property.

The amazing aerial photos on this page were taken by Paul Leidenfrost, a trusted HN contributor… (w/ HN edits).

WARNING: The following photos show a recently deceased fin whale. The cause of death has not yet been officially released. Viewer discretion is advised.