#melon headed whale

Scientific Paper on Pygmy Killer Whales Released after 2019 Mass Stranding on Maui

On Aug. 29, 2019, 11 pygmy killer whales (initially believed to be melon headed whales), a species of dolphin, washed ashore in South Maui in a mass stranding that made headlines and inspired a flurry of scientific investigation.

Two Stranded Whales Euthanized, Second Stranding Incident in Recent Weeks

NOAA has responded to the stranded whales with veterinary care. Maui Now will provide more details of the situation as they become available. 

Maui Topography Possible Contributing Factor in Mass Whale Stranding

NOAA Fisheries: the nearby Māʻalaea Harbor has been a common stranding location for both pygmy killer whales and melon headed whales in recent history.

Ten Whales Beached at Sugar Beach in North Kīhei

Ten Whales Beached at Sugar Beach in North Kihei

Melon Headed Whale Stranding Off Sugar Beach, Maui

Members of the Pacific Islands Region NOAA Response Team received the call for assistance at around 7:30 a.m. reporting a stranded marine mammal. Officials say crews attempted to assess and stabilize the animal upon arrival, but say it had to be humanely euthanized and passed away about two hours later.

Rare Look at Melon-Headed Whales off Maui

Charles Louis Millman of Maui Marine Photography captured this rare look of what he described as a pod of melon-headed whales off of Kīhei, Maui today.