Veterinarian Kate Savage and NOAA Fisheries Alaska Stranding Coordinator Aleria Jensen perform a necropsy on a male humpback whale near Tenakee Springs Friday, August 20.
Story last updated at 8/25/2010 - 12:21 pm
The dead humpback whale discovered floating near Tenakee Springs last week was likely to have been killed as a result of wounds sustained from a vessel strike, according to a recent press release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"This 30-foot long male had marked internal injuries, bruising and hemorrhage indicative of death by high impact, blunt force trauma" said Dr. Kate Savage, NOAA veterinarian who led the necropsy.
The humpback was first spotted early in the morning on August 19. The body was towed away to a beach away from Tenakee to perform the necropsy. The scientists will use an excised eye and tail markings to identify and determine the age of the whale.
Almost 80 percent of Alaska's reported whale-vessel collisions take place in Southeast, according to the press release, and more than 3,000 humpbacks presently swim in the region's waters.
According to NOAA, whale-vessel strikes appear to be on the rise in Alaska, though it is unclear if this is because more people are reporting collisions.
In late July of this year, a 43-foot-long humpback was found lodged on the bow of a Juneau-bound cruise ship.
To report distressed whales or other marine mammals, contact NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Hotline at 877-925-7773.
