Workers at the Port of Tacoma discovered a massive 70-foot whale carcass lodged on the bow of an Evergreen container ship early Monday morning. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is now investigating the animal, which may be an endangered fin whale.

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The 8,000-strong fin whale population under threat

The discovery of the carcass comes at a precarious time for marine life in the Pacific Northwest. According to reports from KOMO News, the fin whale population off the West Coast has been in decline,with only 8,000 individuals estimated to live in the region year-round as of 2018. This incident highlights the increasing intersection between massive commercial shipping vessels and the habitats of endangered marine mammals.

While local whale watchers like Rocky note that carcasses appearing on vessel bows are not entirely unprecedented, the scale of this 70-foot find is significant. The presence of such large animals in busy shipping lanes like those near the Port of Tacoma raises questions about the safety of migratory paths and the potential impact of maritime traffic on dwindling species.

A necropsy on McNeil Island to solve the mystery

Determining the exact cause of death will require intensive scientific work at an undisclosed location on McNeil Island.. Jennifer Sepulveda,the communications manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, told KOMO News that the animal is currently too decomposed to confirm its species with certainty. While preliminary assessments suggest it may be an endangered fin whale, investigators must rely on a necropsy or genetic testing to reach a definitive conclusion.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is collaborating with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network to conduct this investigation. As the carcass was towed from the port's Blair Dock, the focus remains on whether the death was caused by natural factors or a collision with a vessel.

The unanswered question of the Evergreen crew's awareness

One of the most pressing mysteries involves the Evergreen cargo ship and its crew's knowledge of the animal. It remians unclear if the maritime workers were aware of the 70-foot carcass lodged on their bow before arriving in Washington. As reported by KOMO News,Evergreen Shipping has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.

Furthermore, the investigation faces the challenge of verifying if any collision occurred during the ship's transit. Without a clear timeline or crew testimony, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife must piece together the animal's final moments through biological evidence alone. The department has emphasized that immediate reporting of such strandings via the West Coast Region Stranding Hotline is vital for future conservation efforts.