BANDON, Ore. — A 38-foot sei whale died after becoming stranded on a beach south of Bandon on Saturday, according to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
The whale was alive when it washed ashore, officials said. It was stranded by the tide.
A necropsy will be performed on the whale on Sunday to determine why and how it was beached. Oregon State University, World Vets, and Sealife, Response and Rehabilitation and Research will perform the necropsy. They will bury the whale on the beach afterward.
State parks and recreation officials said that, based on its size, the male whale was not yet fully mature.
Sei whales are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. There are around 8,600 sei whales in the North Pacific.
