The species is the second largest animal on Earth, behind only blue whales.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A stranded fin whale died near Bellingham on Tuesday as biologists continue sounding the alarm over a growing number of whale deaths along Washington’s coast.
Teams from the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Cascadia Research Collective and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the stranded whale on Samish Beach after it became stuck Monday night, according to NOAA.
The male whale was alive when initially stranded, but it died before responders arrived.
NOAA said the whale measured more than 61 feet long and weighed about 40 tons. The species is the second largest animal on Earth, behind only blue whales.
Responders found the whale in deteriorated condition and said it appeared emaciated.
Following a necropsy, officials said the carcass will be left to decompose naturally.
The death comes as researchers report a spike in whale strandings across Washington.
Cascadia Research Collective founder John Calambokidis said at least 13 gray whales have been found dead statewide since March, including five along Ocean Shores beaches this month alone.
Calambokidis said many of the whales appeared to have died from starvation, which biologists link to climate change reducing food supplies in Alaska and the Arctic.
“This reflects that they did not get enough to feed last year,” Calambokidis said. “This is the period that is most stressful, if they didn’t get enough of a reserve. That’s when they’re not making it.”
Officials urged anyone who encounters a stranded or injured marine mammal not to approach it and instead contact the marine mammal stranding hotline at 1-866-767-6114.
KING 5’s Drew Mikkelsen contributed to this report.
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