Whale spotted in Elizabeth River, might be sick (South Virginia, USA)

A whale surfaces in the southern branch of the Elizabeth River near the Jordan Bridge in Chesapeake on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.(Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot)

Tuesday, August 19^th, 2014. A large whale has been spotted deep in the Elizabeth River, and its strange behavior has officials worried it could be sick (sick of sonar, maybe ?) and disoriented.

The 30- to 40-foot animal might be a sei whale, said Mark Swingle, director of research and conservation at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. However, no positive species identification has been made.

“It’s definitely acting a little odd,” he said, referring to reports that it seemed to be swimming without a clear direction and at times in circles.

The whale was seen Monday in the river’s Southern Branch near the Jordan Bridge. It also has been spotted off Waterside and near the naval base.

Sei whales are an endangered species that can grow 40 to 60 feet long. They are usually found in deep waters far from the coastline, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Protected Resources.

“It’s not in a normal place,” Swingle said.

Capt. Brook Smith of the American Rover sailboat said he and passengers watched the whale in the river near the Norfolk Southern coal pier for about 20 minutes on a cruise on Friday afternoon. He said it was the second whale he’s seen in the river in 30 years.

“It seemed to be kind of swimming in circles – no particular direction,” he said. “I’m not a whale expert, but it looked ill.”

The Coast Guard put out a warning to mariners to stay away from the whale and not feed it.

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