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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Humpback whale washes up on Kure Beach

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Researchers from the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program conducted an on-the-beach necropsy of a juvenile humpback whale that washed up dead onto Kure Beach on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The male juvenile, who was likely between 1-2 years old, weighed almost 15,000 pounds and was about 27 feet long, said N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher spokeswoman Robin Nalepa. The aquarium helped manage crowds and media while UNCW researchers performed the examination. Upon the initial examination, the whale was emaciated, showing signs that it hadn’t been eating. It was also covered in whale lice, which Nalepa said indicated the animal was moving slowly and near the surface.

“The animal was likely sick before it died,” Nalepa said.

It’s the second time in recent months that a large sea creature has washed up on shore, as an 11-foot great white shark washed up on Wrightsville Beach on Dec. 7.

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