GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  A preliminary autopsy report showed that a pygmy sperm stranded on North Litchfield Beach died of heart and liver disease.

The disease, which is also found in humans, is now being seen in about 60 percent of the pygmy sperm whales stranded on shore, said Wayne McFee, a research wildlife biologist with NOAA.

A study is being done to show why the whales are coming down with the disease, McFee said.

“We have three studies going on now at various institutions that are looking at different angles,’’ McFee said. “We’re looking at the role that genetics may play, and looking at the role of diet and stress.

“By doing the research, we can find out more about how the diseases pop up in the human race.”

The pygmy sperm whale is not an endangered species, McFee said.

Their exact numbers in the wild are unknown.

Marine mammal experts came to Georgetown County Saturday after the whale became stranded on North Litchfield Beach.

Officials said the whale was alive when it made its way to shore around 7 a.m. Saturday, but by noon no heartbeat could be detected.

McFee said he does not know the exact age of the animal.

A necropsy on the whale was done Sunday, he said.

At least four other marine mammals, all bottle nosed dolphins, have stranded in the past five days, McFee said.

None of the other animals died of heart or liver disease.

More information about the whale will be available in the next several weeks, McFee said.

Other facts about the whale are:

n The whale was about 5.5 feet and weighed about 133 pounds, according to officials at NOAA.

n The whale was taken to the NOS Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research in Charleston

* Preliminary findings were that this animal died from complications of dilated cardiomyopathy (heart condition) and liver disease.

* A necropsy took place yesterday Sunday morning at the NOS Charleston lab.

The pygmy sperm whale is a cousin of the giant sperm whale, according to Internet sources.

The number to call in South Carolina to report whale strandings is 843-820-0612.

By Kelly Marshall Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com