#beached whale

“In addition to squid beaks, fish skeletons and other prey remains, we found at least six hagfish traps and we also found significant amounts of at least seven types of fishing net, at least two types of plastic bags, a light protector, fishing line and a float from a net. We did find a number of things in the stomach of the sperm whale that may have contributed to its death and are certainly disturbing,” said Dr. Kristi West, the Health and Stranding Lab Director.

A dwarf sperm whale that beached itself along the Kīhei shoreline in South Maui on Christmas Day was a pregnant female that likely suffered from infectious disease, according to a necropsy conducted by the Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

A group of Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioners gathered at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor under protest this morning to return portions of a whale to the ocean.