Andria Borba, 13News

The young Northern right whale was found Tuesday.

VIRGINIA BEACH -- The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team is trying to determine what caused a whale calf to beach itself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The team drove to Avon, North Carolina Tuesday afternoon.

It was so young – perhaps only a few hours or maybe a few days old – that it wouldn’t have been able to survive without its mother.

Right whales are the most critically endangered whales, with an estimated population of about 350-400, according to officials with the aquarium in Va. Beach.

It wasn't clear whether the calf is a girl or boy; the average calf size is 20 feet in length, said Linda Candler with the Va. Aquarium.

Right whales are the most critically endangered whales, with an estimated population of about 350-400, according to officials with the aquarium in Va. Beach.

A necropsy was tentatively set for Wednesday to try to determine what caused the calf to beach itself.