Two whales wash ashore in Myrtle Beach near Apache Pier
Two whales have washed ashore in the Myrtle Beach area near the Apache Pier.
Horry County Police Cpl. Justin Wyatt said he received the call about possible beached whales around 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
Two whales come ashore near Apache Pier. @horrycountypd Cpl. Justin Wyatt puts wet towels on mammal. pic.twitter.com/6jONg9uHjv
— Tonya Root (@TonyaRoot) July 16, 2015The two whales are believed to be a baby and a mother pair of sperm whales. A response team from Coastal Carolina University was called in to assess the whales and their condition.
#CCU marine experts are looking at the baby whale. pic.twitter.com/R3oE7EpFtK
— Tonya Root (@TonyaRoot) July 16, 2015The mother whale is no longer alive, but the baby whale is still breathing and a veterinarian was called to the scene. They determined the calf could not be returned to the water and will take it to an animal hospital.
Officials measure the mother whale who gave birth the baby just before they both came ashore. pic.twitter.com/mgZ2LJN68Q
— Tonya Root (@TonyaRoot) July 16, 2015Police kept the whales underneath wet towels and under shade and kept the crowds clear of the area until the CCU response team arrived. The whales beached about 50 yards apart.
.@horrycountypd pushes crowd back from one whale. pic.twitter.com/qpIKPuQ1vj
— Tonya Root (@TonyaRoot) July 16, 2015Stay tuned for updates as they come in.
This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Two whales wash ashore in Myrtle Beach near Apache Pier."