Common Name
Humpback Whale
Species
Megaptera novaeangliae
Specimen Number
P12PS00972
Sex
Female
Cause Of Death
Struck by a cruise ship
Mass
0
Age
Modern
Repository
National Park Service: Glacier Bay Alaska
City
Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus
Collection
National Park Service: Glacier Bay Alaska
Collector
National Park Service
Owner
National Park Service
Comment
NPS Humpback Whale #68. Glacier Bay National Park number P12PS00972. Named "Snow". Struck by a Cruise Ship in Glacier bay July 16, 2001. ; In July 2001, a 46-foot adult female humpback whale was found dead at the mouth of Glacier Bay after having been struck by a cruise ship. Known as Whale #68, or "Snow," this humpback was a regular visitor to Glacier Bay and was observed regularly since 1975.; Physically mature adult female humpback whale with sighting history (based on photographs for individual identification of markings on tail flukes) dating back to 1975 in Glacier Bay. A few fetal bones found indicate that the whale was pregnant with a calf that was approximately 1.3 feet long at the time of death. Whale's death was caused by collision with a large cruise ship (856 feet in length, 77,000 gross tons) which resulted in a large skull fracture on the right side of the head. Estimated age of whale is 44.5 years old based on count of growth-layer-groups in ear plug. Total length of whale carcass measured on the beach was 45 ft 6 inches. Both entire pectoral fins were collected and bones carefully extracted, yet no carpal bones were found. Full necropsy report available from Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus, Alaska.
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