A dead sperm whale came ashore in Oregon on Saturday in what authorities are calling an unusual sight for this time of year.
Tourists flocked to the shoreline to catch a glimpse of the massive creature at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria.
“It’s a little scary, but it’s nature, so it’s interesting,” visitor Kay Schilliam told FOX12 Oregon.
NOAA spokesman Michael Milstein told the station that the sperm whale was fully grown and measured between 40 and 50 feet in length.
CALLS ON MOUNT TO STOP OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT AS MORE WHALES WASH UP DEAD: ‘I NEED TO REVIEW THIS VERY CAREFULLY’
Tourists flocked to the beach at Fort Steven State Park near Astoria to view the dead sperm whale.
(FOX12 Oregon KPTV)
“It’s a bit unusual to see a sperm whale here at this time of year, so that’s going to be one of the questions we ask ourselves,” Milstein said. “Does this help us understand the population and distribution of sperm whales on the West Coast?”
It was not clear how the whale died.
(FOX12 Oregon KPTV)
Authorities said the carcass had multiple cuts and are investigating what caused the whale’s death.
Experts said it was rare for a sperm whale to be in the area during this time of year.
(FOX12 Oregon KPTV)
Authorities warned visitors not to touch the marine mammal because the carcass could spread disease to humans and pets.
Experts said the sperm whale was fully grown and was 40 to 50 feet long.
(FOX12 Oregon KPTV)
SEAWORLD PUBLISHES ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT KILLER WHALE FOUND DEAD ON FLORIDA BEACH
The carcass of a marine mammal is one of many that have washed up on US shores in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, a 21-foot female orca carcass washed up on a beach in Palm Coast, Florida. Officials said the whale’s death was likely due to “various diseases.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Further up the east coast of New York and New Jersey, seven dead whales washed ashore in the span of just over a month. These whale deaths were also under investigation.
