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Beachgoers at a Massachusetts shore have been coming together to honor a remarkable yet somber sight— the remains of a sperm whale that washed ashore. This massive creature has sparked both curiosity and compassion among those visiting the Nantucket beach.
On Sunday, the Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket reported the discovery of the whale, which has become a significant logistical challenge for local officials. The whale, measuring an impressive 50 feet in length and weighing approximately 104,000 pounds, presents a considerable obstacle in terms of removal.
Efforts to address this unusual situation have been ongoing, yet the sheer size of the whale makes the task daunting. As solutions are debated, the whale remains a striking feature of the beach landscape, drawing attention and evoking a sense of wonder and reflection among those who encounter it.
In the meantime, beach visitors have taken it upon themselves to create makeshift memorials, symbolizing a collective respect for the life that once was and the majestic presence that the whale still holds, even in death. This communal gesture highlights the deep connection between humans and the marine world, reminding us of the fragile beauty of ocean life.
Because of its immense size, the whale is still sitting on the beach nearly a week later, simply because there is no easy way to remove it.
The organization said in a statement on social media that the carcass had been anchored to shore so that it wouldn’t wash out to sea while they prepared for a necropsy to determine how it died.
After a consultation with experts who have helped remove whale remains in the past, the MMAN determined it was simply impossible to transport.
“The conclusion was that this whale was far too big, awkward and heavy to remove from the beach. No amount of equipment could pull it off,” the agency said. “We had hoped to be able to perform a full necropsy off site, but that has been determined to be impossible.”
In an update on Thursday, MMAN officials said they have begun taking tissue samples from the whale and removed its jaw for further study.
“Extensive sampling of issue and organs can shed considerable light on what happened,” the agency said. “The goal is to learn as much as possible about this individual and hopefully find some evidence of cause of death of this magnificent animal.”
Sperm whales are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and are considered vulnerable, which is the classification just below endangered and extinct. The population was significantly lowered by human activity, including commercial whaling in the 1800s and early 1900s, and were listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1970.
Beachgoers have been asked to remain at least 300 feet away from the carcass, but have begun forming makeshift tributes to the beast, laying flowers and petals to pay their respects.
What will happen to the whale?
While it is impossible to move the animal onto shore, the MMAN said Thursday that they would tow it far out to open ocean by boat in order to keep the beach safe.
“Town officials want to ensure one of the most popular beaches on the island is cleared of any hazards to the health and safety of beach goers, swimmers and boaters,” the agency said.
Once out to sea, the whale will continue to decompose and be eaten by marine life, eventually sinking to the bottom of the ocean in an event known as a whale fall, which provides nutrients to many of the creatures living in the deepest parts of the ocean.
How often do whale carcasses wash up on the beach?
NOAA has reported around 260 whales beaching themselves in the U.S. since 2016. The event itself is relatively rare, with most whales dying far out at sea and becoming whale falls without ever reaching the shore.
But as NPR reports, more whales have been washing up in recent years because of increased human activity. One possible explanation cited by experts is a shift in food habits, as human fishing changes the availability of food for whales in the Atlantic and Pacific.