The whale

2023 - 1 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "CBS News"

40-foot endangered sperm whale washes ashore in Oregon (CBS News)

The whale was found dead and covered in gashes on Saturday. Officials said the cause of its death is being evaluated.

The animal was "likely to die" after the tangled fishing lines left her with "numerous wounds across her body and whale lice on her head," the agency said. [a 21-foot killer whale](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/killer-whale-dies-stranded-florida-beach/) was found stranded and later died after washing ashore near Daytona Beach in Florida, while another 32-foot whale washed ashore in Brigantine, New Jersey, after officials said it was most likely [struck and killed by a marine vessel](https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/brigantine-atlantic-county-beached-whale-marine-vessel/), CBS Philadelphia reported. Earlier, in mid-December, a humpback whale named Moon — widely known and beloved by researchers who have studied her — was [left with a broken spine](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/moon-humpback-whale-broken-spine-vessel-strike-last-journey-canada-hawaii/) and unable to use her tail after being struck by a ship while swimming from Canada to Hawaii. Additional studies have indicated that marine vessels pose a significant threat to whales and other marine life, with one published in [2017](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0183052) suggesting that as many as about 80 blue, fin and humpback whales are struck along the U.S. Earlier this month, a 4-year-old North Atlantic right whale — one of the rarest in the world, with only a few hundred remaining — was originally spotted on Jan. [heavily entangled in fishing gear](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rare-north-atlantic-whale-likely-to-die-north-carolina/). Per NOAA Fisheries, which leads sperm whale conservation efforts, the species is vulnerable to vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise pollution, which can hinder their ability to communicate, marine debris, oil spills and other contaminants, as well as various consequences of climate change. Milstein told CBS News on Monday that a sperm whale measuring 40 feet is "about the typical size" for an adult male. [largest toothed whales](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/sperm-whale#:~:text=Population%20Status) on Earth, according to NOAA, with males sometimes reaching almost 60 feet in length and weighing more than 40 tons. However, from 2010 to 2014, the agency reported that "[H]owever, it is unclear if this strike occurred before or after death," the aquarium said in its Facebook post. Milstein said the exam could reveal more details about the whale's death and what caused it.

GRAPHIC: Sperm whale carcass washes ashore in Oregon (KSLA)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it is unusual for a sperm whale to be in the area during this time of year.

“Does this help us understand the population and distribution of sperm whales off the West Coast?” “Forty to 50 feet long,” said Michael Milstein, spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries. The Coast Guard said crews received reports of a beached whale at Fort Stevens State Park just around noon on Saturday.

Endangered whale's severely injured body washes ashore in ... (Raleigh News & Observer)

The 40-foot male sperm whale was found “just south of the Peter Iredale in Fort Stevens State Park,” Seaside Aquarium in Oregon said.

“They feed on deep water species, such as squid, sharks, skates, and fish.” Though the species’ “population is recovering,” sperm whales remain endangered, according to the aquarium. “They have been known to live up to 60 years, with males maturing around the age of 50 at a length of approximately 52 feet,” the aquarium said. [least 200 feet away](https://twitter.com/uscgpacificnw/status/1614403753888862214?s=46&t=s8xZvVNKD7Ln495NKGtyLQ) from the whale, according to a tweet from the U.S. “The whale had been dead for a while before washing ashore,” according to the aquarium. [It is a bit unusual](https://www.kptv.com/2023/01/15/sperm-whale-carcass-washes-ashore-fort-stevens-state-park/) to see a sperm whale here this time of year, so that’ll be one of the questions …

Dead sperm whale washes up at Oregon's Fort Stevens State Park ... (Fox News)

A fully grown sperm whale, which measured between 40 and 50 feet long, washed up dead on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon, ...

[CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP](https://www.foxnews.com/apps-products?pid=AppArticleLink) [New York and New Jersey,](https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/northeast) seven dead whales have washed ashore in the span of a little over a month. "Does this help us understand the population and distribution of [Palm Coast, Florida.](https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southeast/florida) Officials said the whale’s death was likely due to "various illnesses." [spread diseases to humans and pets.](https://www.foxnews.com/category/health/infectious-disease) [SEAWORLD RELEASES ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT KILLER WHALE FOUND DEAD ON FLORIDA BEACH](https://www.foxnews.com/us/seaworld-releases-additional-details-killer-whale-found-dead-florida-beach) [sperm whales](https://www.foxnews.com/category/science/wild-nature/mammals) off the West Coast?"

Dead sperm whale found on Oregon Coast (Bend Bulletin)

A dead sperm whale was found beached on Saturday near the Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park.

Big Island Now : What happened to Moon? The injured humpback ... (Big Island Now)

When the humpback whales made their annual 3,000-mile migration from Canadian waters to Hawaiian waters at the end of 2022, so did a female named Moon.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary tries to help injured whales when possible and if the situation is safe and warranted. The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources says ocean users can take steps to prevent collisions with whales by understanding the five “whats” of boating during whale season. That’s why her story is so important — it may help to protect whales in the future.” Wray cried when she saw the pictures of the whale in Hawai‘i waters. In her condition, even if she could survive her injury, she likely doesn’t have enough energy reserved to survive the return trip to the feeding grounds off the British Columbia coast. “Her injury and her death will not be in vain,” Wray said. Moon’s story should also put humans on notice to be more aware of these endangered marine mammals in the water. And when she found out the whale was Moon, “It just broke my heart into a million pieces.” 1, 2022, half an ocean away in waters about half a mile off Olowalu, Maui, when she was documented by the Pacific Whale Foundation. Researchers immediately knew her situation wasn’t good when they saw the unnatural “S” curve in Moon’s spine, from her dorsal fin to her fluke. “She was likely in considerable pain, yet she migrated thousands of miles without being able to propel herself with her tail.” And if she is still alive, she’s in pain and starving to death.

'A Bright New Boise,' a dark comedy from 'The Whale' playwright ... (The Desert Sun)

The production runs now through Jan. 22 at the Pearl McManus Theater inside the Palm Springs Woman's Club.

"She has more or less given in to the fact that that's all her life is going to be, and that's why I joke that I'm terrified of her." "It's pretty revolutionary that Samuel Hunter, who lives in New York City, decides to write plays about these parts of America that my progressive self included, on the coast, pretend don't exist," She said. "And the thing is that we're all the same. "She's very funny, not necessarily because she intends to be but it's like are we laughing at her or are we laughing with her?" However, there is a sense of hope within Will that Harper wants to portray to the audience. He also credits the rest of the cast for the heart they bring to their performances. She never really got the opportunity to pursue her dreams and became stagnant. Harper said he read the play about 20 times and found "different threads" to pull from each read-through. The play follows Will, an evangelical man who is on a journey to reconnect with the son he gave up for adoption. In order to prepare for the role, Harper watched several documentaries about evangelical Christianity and sought out information from a friend who studied theology. Shaw said it is easy to characterize someone like Will in a cookie-cutter fashion. Hunter is also the playwright behind the critically acclaimed film, "The Whale," which has garnered a great deal of Oscar buzz this awards season .

Whale sanctuary reopens (Maui News)

FIRST PHOTO: A crowd gathers in front of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's newly renovated visitor center to celebrate its ...

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