(OBA®) - 4:40 p.m.: Thank you for your ongoing concern about the adult sperm whale that stranded in Mobile Bay. This situation is complex and fluid. The whale is in poor condition and has limited swimming ability (swimming in circles and lateral position) in the water when free-floating.

The whale is considered to be very far out of its normal habitat. The normal habitat of the sperm whale is in deep ocean water. The fact that it ended up in Mobile Bay tells us that something is not right with the whale and is confirmed by emaciation and difficulty swimming. We are doing our best to keep the animal comfortable and keep it and the public safe while we monitor its condition and determine if there will be an opportunity for euthanasia. 

Unfortunately, the conditions have not been favorable to carryout euthanasia safely for the whale or humans. We are continuously monitoring the whale as conditions allow, and we are doing our best to do what is right for this whale with the consideration of the safety of our team.

We ask that anyone who sees the animal immediately contact the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-877-Whale-Help (942-5343). For your safety and that of the whale, please do not approach or touch the animal. Sperm whales are an endangered species and any interaction with the animal is considered harassment.  Please remain at least 500 yards from the animal.

9:44 a.m.: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Marine Mammal Research Program and Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network want to thank the community for their support of our efforts to locate, monitor, and assess the condition of the sperm whale that stranded multiple times in Mobile Bay during the past few days. 

The animal moved again during the night and was sighted around midnight Sunday, heading north in Mobile Bay. We ask that anyone who sees the animal immediately contact the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-877-Whale-Help (942-5343). For your safety and that of the whale, please do not under any circumstances approach or touch the animal. Please remain at least 500 yards from the animal.

We sincerely appreciate the concern of the community for the animal’s well-being and have received many excellent questions about the stranding and response efforts. Below are some answers (courtesy of the NOAA Fisheries and ALMMSN) to the most common questions we received.

Thank you all again for your support and cooperation as we continue to monitor the animal.