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Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Dead whale intrigues scientists
FRESHWATER BAY -- Scientists examined a 40-foot dead whale that washed ashore about five miles west of Port Angeles and tentatively identified it as an endangered species.
The whale appeared to be an adult male sei (pronounced "say") whale weighing about 30 tons, said John Calambokidis, senior research biologist and co-founder of Cascadia Research scientific group in Olympia.
Scientists examined the carcass Monday and took samples of tissue, skin and blubber to test for contaminants and genetic content.
"We are very interested in the whale because it is endangered, and it is uncommon to see them in this area," Calambokidis said.
The whale was hit by a fish-processing ship, which reported the incident Friday outside Port Angeles Harbor. The whale likely was struck some distance away and may have traveled on the bow of the ship for as long as a week before being dislodged, Calambokidis said.
Sei whales, typically dark gray with irregular white markings, are fast swimmers and live far from shore in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, he said.
They are spotted only rarely off the West Coast or in inland waters. They have been listed as endangered since 1973 when the Endangered Species Act was signed.
The dead whale drew curious onlookers as beachfront residents worried about disposal and the stink.
"The bad news is when a whale comes in like this, is that it is usually up to the property owners," said Brian Gorman, National Marine Fisheries Service spokesman.
Usually the carcass must be hauled out to sea or buried where it is beached.
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