India, May 6 -- A rare and somber incident unfolded this week on the shores of Hilton Head Island as a distressed sperm whale was discovered stranded and later euthanized by marine wildlife experts. The event has stirred fresh concern about the growing environmental pressures facing marine mammals along the southeastern US coast, as reported by The Post and Courier.

The whale, identified as a young pygmy sperm whale, was found lying motionless along the northern end of the island's beach. Wildlife responders and marine biologists quickly arrived on the scene to assess the animal's condition. Observations revealed that the whale was gravely ill and disoriented, with little chance of survival if returned to the ocean.

After hours of monit...