Associated
Press – 9 hours ago
GOLD
BEACH, Ore. (AP) — A 78-foot long dead blue whale weighing over 100 tons washed
ashore this week north of Gold Beach.
The
Register-Guard reports (http://goo.gl/G680ZQ ) researchers are working to
harvest the skeleton of the marine mammal which is rarely seen in Oregon.
"We
don't usually see blue whales this close in," said Calum Stevenson, Oregon
Parks and Recreation Department ocean shores specialist. "They are not
even on our radar for Whale Watch because they are so uncommon."
The
emaciated whale was dead for about two weeks before it washed onto the sandy
beach Monday 10 miles north of Gold Beach and about 70 miles south of Coos Bay.
Stevenson
theorizes the whale could have become weakened by El Niño and the Pacific
Decadal oscillation. Resulting ocean warming that can harm marine life upon
which blue whales feed.
"The
blubber layer was emaciated — 4 inches or less," Stevenson said, noting a
healthy blue whale has blubber up to 12 inches. "It wasn't in great shape.
It may have been weakened, and then attacked by the predators."
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