Advertisement

Dead Whale Washes Up on Mass. Beach

Scientists are trying to determine what killed a young humpback whale that washed up dead on a Plymouth beach.

The decomposing carcass of the endangered female whale was found early Tuesday on Manomet Beach.

The whale was about 20 to 25 feet long, far below the adult size of about 40 feet for a female adult humpback.

Tony LaCasse of the New England Aquarium said the whale was spotted dead last week and has already been examined at sea by marine mammal biologist, Dr. Michael Moore.

LaCasse said the cause of the whale's death was not known yet, though there was no sign of a ship strike or fishing gear entanglement.

LaCasse said a team of its scientists would be working Tuesday to determine the cause of death and help dispose of the animal.

This program aired on September 23, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close