Death investigation underway on young female humpback whale found on Outer Banks beach
A necropsy was scheduled to be performed Saturday on a young humpback whale that turned up dead on a beach in Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks Friday morning, police said.
“Please do not touch or disturb the whale,” police said on Facebook after the whale washed ashore near the Bennett Street Beach Access.
The female whale measured 27.5 feet long and weighed about 19,000 pounds, according to an official with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, police said.
How the whale died remained a mystery Friday, as police said they found “no obvious cause of death.”
The necropsy may provide clues to what happened, town officials said. Until the necropsy was performed, the whale would remain on the beach, officials said.
“The smell was intense,” a man posted on Facebook with photos of the whale. “Can’t imagine how bad it will get if left lying there long.”
Others on social media mourned the whale’s death.
“Poor baby,” a woman posted on Facebook.
“So sad,” another woman said. “Rest in peace you beautiful creature.”
Town officials thanked members of the public who reported the whale to the town.