LUBEC – Maine scientists are curious to learn how a whale found dead and floating in a cove ended up there.
People who have seen the whale found in Lubec estimate that it’s about 26 feet long. Harbormaster Ralph Dennison tells Maine Public he believes it was a humpback whale based on the size of its fins.
College of the Atlantic researcher Rosemary Seton confirmed it was a juvenile female humpback whale, though researchers were unable to confirm the exact cause of death.
Officials say the mortality rates of humpbacks have risen in recent years, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declaring an “Unusual Mortality Event” for the species a year ago.
NOAA officer Deborah Fauquier says she’s anxious to find out more about this particular whale’s cause of death.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.