A juvenile humpback, estimated to be about 2 years old, was discovered at a beach in Neskowin on Nov. 4.
The whale was examined by Carrie Newell, an Oregon marine biologist and owner of Whale Research Eco Excursions, who said the young whale likely died of starvation as it appeared extremely malnourished.
A juvenile humpback, estimated to be about 2 years old, was discovered washed ashore a beach in Neskowin on Nov. 4.
The whale was approximately 28 feet long with an 8½-foot tail fluke. Fluke tails on adult humpback whale can reach a span of 12 feet, which means the young humpback was likely around 2 when it died, according to Newell.
A juvenile humpback, estimated to be about 2 years old, was discovered washed ashore a beach in Neskowin on Nov. 4.
While Newell was deeply saddened by the loss of the whale, she took the opportunity to teach others about a sea creature people don’t typically get to see up close.
Newell told the Statesman Journal there were three organisms found living on the whale, including acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles and whale lice.
Newell pointed out there was a gull found in the whale’s mouth. She said the gull may have become trapped when the humpback came up for fish, and that the humpback wouldn’t have been able to swallow it because its throat is only about the size of a grapefruit.
A juvenile humpback, estimated to be about 2 years old, was discovered washed ashore a beach in Neskowin on Nov. 4.
Samples and bloodwork were taken from the whale, and a necropsy was performed. Results have not come back yet, but myoglobin levels that were initially gathered from the whale during the necropsy also indicated that it was around 2 years old, said Newell.
The whale is thought to have died sometime during the days before it was discovered.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Humpback whale found on Oregon Coast beach likely died of starvation