A humpback whale found stranded in the Baltic Sea near Niendorf on 23 March 2026 is in very poor health, as confirmed through veterinary examinations by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The whale was first discovered with an active entanglement and has since shown a continuous and significant decline in condition; Experts on site and IFAW’s marine mammal rescue team have determined that the whale is severely compromised and will not survive even if refloated.

Health Condition and Environment

Visible signs of the whale’s severe condition include significantly damaged skin that is increasingly peeling off — this is a type of severe ulcerative dermatitis caused by prolonged exposure to the low salinity environment of the Baltic Sea. According to IFAW. This condition leads to systemic compromise and eventual death; Palliative care is currently the priority, with efforts focused on minimizing the whale’s suffering by regularly moistening the skin and avoiding additional stress. All measures are carried out under close veterinary guidance.

Dead Whale in Newport Beach

Meanwhile, a dead humpback whale measuring 27 feet was discovered on the shores of Newport Beach, California, around 3 p.m. on 28 March 2026, near the 11th Street area. The whale was first spotted at sea around 1:45 p.m. near the 28th Street area and later reached the shore; According to Newport Lifeguard Chief Brian O’Rourke, the whale is believed to be a young humpback weighing around 9,000 kilograms (10 tons).

The cause of death remains unknown. And the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) will conduct a preliminary evaluation followed by a necropsy, according to NOAA spokesperson Michael Milstein. O’Rourke noted that weather conditions were too dangerous for a tugboat to approach the coast, and the team might have to wait until Friday due to forecasted inclement weather. “The salvage boat cannot even approach because the weather is still extreme, and it’s too dangerous to tow the whale,” O’Rourke said.

Logistical and Public Safety Challenges

Authorities are considering whether to return the whale to the sea with the help of rising morning tides or to remove it piece by piece, as was done with a large whale in Lower Trestles about a decade ago. “We are working on a disposal plan,” O’Rourke said, adding that allowing the whale to decompose on the beach would cause significant problems. O’Rourke urged the public to stay at least 200 feet away from the whale for safety reasons.

IFAW, while not directly involved in the Newport Beach case, has offered its expertise in marine mammal stranding response. In the Baltic Sea case, the organization emphasized that rescue attempts were not in the whale’s best interest due to its grave health condition. Both incidents highlight the complexities involved in responding to stranded marine mammals and the challenges posed by environmental and logistical factors.