Janice R. Andrews
A big, endangered fin whale was tragically discovered washed up on a beach in Oregon. It was entangled, malnourished, and riddled in wounds that appeared to be from killer whales. The subadult male, about 46 feet in length, was found close to the Washington border at Sunset Beach State Park.
The whale was discovered with a thick rope wound around its mouth, indicating that it had become entangled before washing ashore, according to preliminary reports from NOAA Fisheries West Coast. Officials conducted a necropsy, which showed that the whale was malnourished and underweight, most likely due to an underlying illness. It did, however, also have recent, minor entanglement wounds and characteristic “rake marks” associated with orca interactions.
A big, endangered fin whale was tragically discovered washed up on a beach in Oregon. It was entangled, malnourished, and riddled in wounds that appeared to be from killer whales. The subadult male, about 46 feet in length, was found close to the Washington border at Sunset Beach State Park.
The whale was discovered with a thick rope wound around its mouth, indicating that it had become entangled before washing ashore, according to preliminary reports from NOAA Fisheries West Coast. Officials conducted a necropsy, which showed that the whale was malnourished and underweight, most likely due to an underlying illness. It did, however, also have recent, minor entanglement wounds and characteristic “rake marks” associated with orca interactions.
A further examination of the pathology report is expected to shed more light on the whale’s condition and cause of death. The passing of such a magnificent animal highlights the continued difficulties that marine life in the Pacific Northwest faces.
