Whale perishes on Oregon Coast

The Sei fin whale observed struggling in the surf along the Oregon Coast on Friday, March 6, 2009, is believed to have died and washed up close to where officials lost sight of it late Friday afternoon.

Update: Biologists now believe that the 5040-foot whale that died along the Oregon Coast was, in fact, an endangered fin whale, not a Sei whale as originally reported. They also predict that the whale appeared undernourished and was probably chronically ill. A video report (in which it is still described as a Sei whale) is available. A more recent video is also available.

Parallels to Oregon’s infamous exploding whale are already being made, of course. However, state officials have indicated they have no intention of blowing up the carcass.

External links:

• Struggling whale likely same one found dead – KVAL
• Struggling whale washed up dead near Florence – The Oregonian
• Marine biologists search for clues in beached whale’s death(video #1, video #2) – KATU
• Beach closed after dead whale washes up – Register-Guard
• Great whale beaches at Heceta Head – The Oregonian
• Dead Whale Leads to Closure of Oregon Beaches – Salem-News.com
• Dead Whale Forces Beach Closure – KEZI
• Dead whale washes up on Oregon Coast, prompts beach closure (slideshow) – KGW
• Dead Whale Shuts Down Central Oregon Coast Beach – BeachConnection.net
• Beached whale’s tale captivates Oregon Coast – KVAL