300kg fin of humpback whale found dead in North Carolina to be put on display in park

A critically endangered humpback whale was found dead on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands last month, and some of its parts will be on permanent display at the state park.

A 31-foot whale was sighted off the shores of North Core, on the Cape Lookout National Seashore, on Dec. 28.

Cape Lookout National Seashore said in a Jan. 10 press release that a team from the State Marine Mammal Capture Network arrived on the beach on Dec. 29 to inspect the whale and compile a strand report that traces the animal species and reports any autopsy results. . Although an autopsy was performed and samples taken, the cause of death was not released.

The Marine Mammal Network team also helped collect parts of the whale that would later be put on public display in a North Carolina park.

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A 31-foot whale was sighted off the shores of North Core, on the Cape Lookout National Seashore, on Dec. 28.
(Cape Lookout National Seashore)

“The team also helped the park collect one of the whale’s front flippers and a 4-foot-long piece of baleen from the whale’s mouth for processing and eventually use on display at the Harkers Island Visitor Center.” – Cape Lookout National Seashore. wrote.

In a photo posted by the park on Facebook, a park biologist lies next to a fin to showcase its length. The fin measured 13 feet and weighed 311 pounds, officials said.

A photo posted by the park on Facebook shows a biologist from the park lying next to a fin to show that the fin is longer than a human.
(Cape Lookout National Seashore)

This humpback whale was the second one found on a beach in North Carolina in December.

The 30-foot humpback was found washed ashore on December 5 on Hatteras Island on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, located just north of Lookout Point. This whale also underwent an autopsy, but officials did not give a cause of death.

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The fin was 13 feet long and weighed 311 pounds.
(Cape Lookout National Seashore)

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, all species of humpback whales are marked as endangered in US waters. Experts say the most common causes of death for humpback whales are fishing gear entanglement and collision with boats.

Humpbacks can weigh up to 40 tons and reach 60 feet in length. They can also live up to 90 years.