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Deformed humpback whale found dead

JUNEAU, Alaska -- Researchers say a humpback whale with a hugely bloated tongue washed up dead this week on the west side of Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are hoping to determine the cause of death with a necropsy.

Aleria Jensen, a NOAA marine mammal specialist, says the tongue of the 40-foot whale was larger than the animal's head. She says the case has attracted interest from scientists nationwide. Jensen says researchers believe the whale had some kind of infection.

The whale, an endangered species, was still alive when several vessels reported seeing it.

Researchers believe the animal died on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Quelle: KTUU.com

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