Minke Whale Found Dead in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor

A minke whale, affectionately known as "Bob," was discovered dead in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor on Sunday after spending nearly a week in the area. The whale had attracted significant attention as it swam around the harbor, drawing crowds of spectators.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating the cause of death. Spokesperson Michael Milstein stated that officials are conducting a necropsy, examining the whale for injuries or illnesses, and collecting blood and tissue samples. These efforts aim to determine the cause of death and contribute to the understanding of whale health and conservation.

Bob was first spotted on March 31, near the Harbor Breeze charter boats and the Aquarium of Long Beach. The whale's presence was unusual, as minke whales are not commonly found in such areas. Whale expert Alisa Schulman-Janiger noted that the whale did not appear sick or injured, but the reason for its presence in the harbor remained a mystery. She had hoped that the whale would navigate back to the open ocean during high tide, but unfortunately, that did not occur.

Minke whales, the smallest species of baleen whales, have been experiencing increased mortality rates along the Atlantic coast since 2017, with 168 deaths attributed to an Unusual Mortality Event (UME). According to NOAA, diseases such as brucellosis have contributed to these deaths. The findings from Bob's necropsy may provide further insights into the health challenges facing this species.