PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (AP) — Scientists are examining the corpse of an endangered whale that washed up on a Mississippi Gulf Coast beach.
The rare discovery Saturday marks the first time a fin whale stranding has been reported in Mississippi and just the fourth time since 2002 a fin whale stranding has been reported in the Gulf of Mexico, WLOX-TV reported.
Scientists from the nonprofit Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and other organizations will study the remains, which washed ashore in Pass Christian.
Dr. Moby Solangi, director of the institute, told the Gazebo Gazette that the whale is 30 feet (9 meters) long and weighs between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds (6,804 kilograms). It might have been inadvertently pushed to shore by a ship.
“The mammal was probably sick and the body got caught in a ship channel,” Solangi said.
Scientists will determine the cause of death based on pending lab results.
After the fin whale population declined due to hunting, the species was classified as endangered and granted protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Source: Read Full Article
Rishi Sunak promotes trusted MP Greg Hands to be Tory chairman in Cabinet reshuffle | The Sun
ROBERT HARDMAN: Charles III first monarch to have stamp without crown
Solar panels WILL be installed on iconic King's College Chapel roof
Children are having their lives 'destroyed' by delay of trans guidance
Taliban militants use rocket launcher to blow up a Swedish flag
Boyfriend who murdered his childhood sweetheart faces life in prison
‘So far, so good’: Controlled release of toxic chemicals keeps Ohio residents evacuated
Woman says she can see William Shakespeare in a ceiling light