Alaska’s Anchorage (AP) As experts investigate the reason of the rare fin whale’s death, curious bystanders have gathered near a beachfront trail in Alaska’s largest city.
The carcass, which was discovered over the weekend close to Anchorage, was thought to be that of a female and was 47 feet (14.3 meters) in length, which is equivalent to the width of a college basketball court. The whale was probably between one and three years old, according to Barbara Mahoney, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who examined it for the Anchorage Daily News.
According to NOAA Fisheries, fin whales are the second-largest whale species. When fully grown, they can grow up to 85 feet (25.9 meters) in length and weigh between 40 and 80 tons. The organization lists a number of dangers to fin whales, including ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, underwater noise, and the consequences of climate change.
Fin whales aren’t typically spotted this near to Anchorage, according to Mandy Keogh, a NOAA marine mammal stranding coordinator, who speculated that recent high tides may have forced it farther into the Knik Arm.
The whale, which NOAA biologists and Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services personnel had tethered to the shore Sunday so they could collect samples from the animal, attracted hikers across the mudflats. However, decomposition or a lack of visible injuries might make it challenging to identify a cause of death even when samples are examined, according to Keogh.
On Monday, Daisy Grandlinard was one of the parents who went with a group of kids to witness the whale. “They could smell it as they got closer,” she claimed.
Because it had tracks on it, almost like a sled, the youngsters found it incredibly fascinating to be able to feel and touch the bottom. She added, “It was pretty cool to see the size of it.” It was interesting to watch a whale up close and remark, “Oh, that’s what the baleen looks like in real life,” and “Where is the blow hole?” as we had already studied whales a few weeks prior.
According to Mahoney, biologists aimed to finish their job on Tuesday, untether the body, and allow the tide to push or move it. We don’t know what it does or doesn’t do.
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