Cause of death revealed for 53-foot sea creature that washed up on Oregon beach
A 53-foot sea creature washed ashore after it was reported dead off the coast of Oregon.
Now researchers know how it died.
The adult male sperm whale washed ashore 12 miles north of Seaside between Del Ray and Sunset Beach, according to a June 1 Instagram post by Seaside Aquarium.
The whale was spotted floating before it eventually washed ashore May 29, according to a June 3 Facebook post by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries West Coast.
There were two angled and paralleled cuts across the top of the whale's head, officials said.
After performing a necropsy and seeing 'trauma with several vertebrae exposed and twisted,' researchers determined the whale died because it was hit by a vessel, officials said.
Sperm whales can reach lengths of 60 feet long and weigh in at over 40 tons, the Seaside Aquarium said.
They are classified as an endangered species and can live up to 60 years. They feed on squid, sharks and fish, officials said.
The whale will remain on the beach and decompose over time, as eagles and coyotes have the 'ability to feed on this whale for quite some time,' officials said.
Seaside is about an 80-mile drive northwest of Portland.
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