Gray Whale's death probed by scientists

Share

By KATU Web Staff and Associated Press

Summary

Residents south of Newport have seen whales off the coast during the past few days. One scientist on the scene Sunday said the whale had an abscess that could have played a role in her death.

Story Published: May 27, 2007 at 6:01 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 22, 2010 at 2:02 PM PDT

NEWPORT, Ore. - A roughly 37-foot California Gray Whale washed ashore near Newport this weekend, and experts are trying to figure out what killed her.

Residents there told KATU News they have seen whales off the coast near Seal Rock - which is south of Newport - during the past few days.

Experts from the Hatfield Marine Science Center have started inspecting the dead whale, which appears to be a 2-year-old female.

One scientist on the scene Sunday said the whale had an abscess in the area in front of her tail fluke and that could be a clue in determining what killed her.

Carrie Newell, of Oregon State University's College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, said one thing appeared certain: the Gray Whale was not killed by a Killer Whale. That's because the Gray Whale still had her tongue in tact, and Killer Whales will eat the tongue.

"That's the first thing we'll look for," she said.

A number of people flocked to see the whale Sunday - especially kids, a number of whom learned new facts about whales while taking in the sight and smell.

 

David Woody, an Oregon State Parks Department beach ranger, said the whale will be buried after the science center's marine mammal specialists finish their examination and try to determine the cause of death.

Gray whales travel off the coast between Alaska and Baja California every year.

Note: Onlookers are advised not to take pieces of the beached whale, which is an illegal offense.