A massive fin whale carcass drifted ashore near a coastal trail in Alaska’s largest city, captivating the curiosity of many, while biologists are working to determine the cause of its death.
According to biologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the whale carcass found near Anchorage measures 14.3 meters long, which is roughly the length of a college basketball court.
Fin whale carcass washed ashore in Alaska.
Barbara Mahoney, a NOAA biologist, is conducting tests on the whale and reports that it is a female, likely between 1 and 3 years old.
Fin whales are the second-largest whale species and are currently at risk of extinction, according to NOAA. When fully grown, fin whales can reach lengths of up to 25.9 meters and weigh between 40 and 80 tons. The agency notes that collisions with vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise, and the impacts of climate change are significant threats faced by fin whales.
Mandy Keogh, NOAA’s marine mammal stranding coordinator, stated that fin whales are not commonly seen near Anchorage, and the recent high tides may have pushed the animal further ashore.
However, even after analyzing samples, determining the cause of death may still be challenging. Biologists hope to complete the whale necropsy soon, remove the carcass from where it is stranded, and let the tides carry it away.
