INDIAN RIVER BAY, DE - Coordinated efforts to move the body of a deceased humpback whale discovered in the shallows of the Indian River Bay this week have so far proven unsuccessful.
The whale was first reported by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on Monday, March 31. As of noon on Thursday, DNREC says they have so far been unable to move the marine mammal’s remains due to shallow water and the body’s weight.
The whale weighs at least 18 tons, according to DNREC, and despite several hours of attempts during high tide, tow vessels were unable to gain the leverage to dislodge the body from the sand bar.
DNREC says that the MERR Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are now working together to explore next steps. As those options are explored, DNREC says they will continue their support through logistics, coordination, and providing equipment.
“We understand how difficult it is to see this whale in this condition,” DNREC said in a social media post on April 3. “We're working closely with MERR to develop a new plan and will share more information as soon as we have it. We're committed to resolving the issue safely — for both navigation and public health.”