Humpback Whale Washes Ashore Kodiak Island

A 40-foot humpback whale has washed ashore near the Kodiak Island community of Chiniak.

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by Associated Press

Story Created: Oct 1, 2012 at 2:56 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2012 at 2:56 PM AKDT

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) - A 40-foot humpback whale has washed ashore near the Kodiak Island community of Chiniak.

A whale expert says it likely was killed by killer whales.

Bree Witteveen tells the Kodiak Daily Mirror (http://bit.ly/SYqDyo) she took samples of the animal's skin and blubber Thursday.

The marine mammal research biologist for the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center says there are no plans to move the carcass.

The whale is less than a quarter-mile from the Road's End Restaurant at Mile 42 Chiniak Highway. It had not begun to smell by Saturday but Witteveen says that will change.

She says the humpback likely will draw the island's brown bears as the carcass becomes more odoriferous.

She says Kodiak brown bears don't seem to notice dead whales until they stink.

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