St. Johns County Brings National Attention to Issue of Oceanic Plastic Pollution with Coverage of Stranded Whale Calf
On Sept. 16, a beachgoer called FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline to report a dolphin calf had washed ashore on Butler Beach. His photos showed it was actually an emaciated dwarf sperm whale calf (Kogia sima). Staff and volunteers brought the whale to veterinarians for examination; after consultation with NOAA, it was humanely euthanized. After a necropsy (animal autopsy), it was found to have a large plastic bag in its main stomach with associated ulcers.
St. Johns County Beach Services posted a short video on its social media platforms on Oct. 22 to highlight the importance of proper waste disposal on our beaches and at sea. Ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana was given permission to share videos and pictures provided by the Office of Public Affairs. Within days, the story spread from Floridian outlets like First Coast News and Jacksonville Today to national news organizations like People and ABC News. Environmental news sites such as One Green Planet and Inside Climate News also picked up the story.
Beach Services reminds beachgoers not to push beached marine animals back into the water, even small ones; they beached for a reason, and pushing them back delays humane treatment and care. Report strandings to the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922.