WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — The pygmy sperm whale that washed dead up on a Maui beach could help scientists learn about the elusive creatures. ADVERTISING WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — The pygmy sperm whale that washed dead up on a Maui
WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — The pygmy sperm whale that washed dead up on a Maui beach could help scientists learn about the elusive creatures.
The whale’s cause of death is still unclear after a Friday necropsy. The animal was found on Keawakapu Beach on Wednesday.
The nearly half-ton mammal had a broken jaw but was found to be in generally good nutritional condition.
Hawaii Pacific University associate professor of biology Kristi West says the broken jaw seems to have been caused by some sort of trauma.
The necropsy is only the beginning of what West called “Whale CSI.” Officials are still waiting on samples that have been sent to labs for analysis.
West says that researchers want to know why the whale died but also hope to learn more about its living counterparts.
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