A dead humpback whale was discovered Monday on a beach in Berlin, Maryland, on the Assateague Island National Seashore.
The roughly 20-foot-long whale is currently in the Oversand Vehicle Area of Maryland, according to the National Park Service. There were no obvious signs of the cause of death.
The area is closed at the 21.8 kilometer mark to allow the whale to be cared for safely.
Park service personnel contacted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Stranding Response Program, the lead agency for stranding response in the state.
21-FOOT ORCA WHALE DEAD IN FLORIDA AFTER BEING STRANDED
Dead whale off Assateague Island National Seashore
(Photo by NPS/K. Media)
Staff from the Stranding Response Program and the National Aquarium planned a necropsy for Tuesday.
Waves crashing onto the shoreline on Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, USA.
((Photo by: Edwin Remsburg/VW Pics via Getty Images))
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Once the necropsy is complete, the whale will be moved to the dunes and left to dry before eventual burial. All parts of the animal are protected by the Federal Law for the Protection of Marine Mammals and all marine mammals, living or dead, are protected by the legislation.
Sandy beach on Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, USA.
((Photo by: Edwin Remsburg/VW Pics via Getty Images))
The National Park Service warned that visitors who encounter the whale should keep their distance and make sure dogs are on a leash.
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The whale carcass is expected to smell for a while, but it won’t be a problem more than 50 yards or so from the actual location.
People who find any marine mammals or sea turtles washed ashore are advised to call the local stranding network.Ohrk.
