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Stinky Dead Whale on North Oregon Coast A Somewhat Rare Find |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
05/05/08
Secrets of the Season |
Stinky Dead Whale on North Oregon Coast A Somewhat Rare Find
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| Photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium |
(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – They are somewhat rarely spotted on the coast, about once every two years. But when they do show up, they smell bad because they’re so decomposed.
They are the species known as beaked whales – which normally live quite deep in the ocean and far offshore from Oregon’s beaches. One washed up on Sunday at a rather hidden beach at Cannon Beach, and it too stank to high heaven.
“It had been dead for months,” said Keith Chandler, manager of the Seaside Aquarium, and one of the responders from the north coast’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network. “It smelled really, really bad. When they finally get here, it’s taken their bodies so long, because they live so deep, so that’s why they’re so rotten when they get here.”
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The aquarium got the call about 10 a.m., just as the whale was still slowly washing in. They got to the scene and found a Cuvier's Beaked Whale at a place called Crescent Beach, which is accessible only by a mile-and-a-half trail to the beach.
“Members
of the stranding network and the Seaside Aquarium worked quickly to remove
the teeth of this rare whale before poachers could get them,” said
Tiffany Boothe, from the aquarium. “In the past, there have been
problems with people taking the teeth. The teeth are one of the most important
things to collect from these animals. The scientific value of them is
priceless.”
Boothe said the teeth are used in telling how old the creatures are.
Chandler called it “pre-emptive stealing,” as just about every beached whale that shows up on the coast brings out someone trying to steal the teeth.
Back around New Year’s Eve, aquarium staff responded to a dead whale and allegedly found a man trying to steal those teeth. That case is still pending with national authorities.
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| Looking down on Crescent Beach from Ecola State Park |
Two sperm whales and two beaked whales that landed here in recent years cajoled poachers. “That’s part of the problem of alerting the press to these beached whales,” Chandler said.
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With the whale stinking so badly, how could they stand taking out the teeth?
First, Chandler admits, he got to stand quite a ways from the whale and had his crew work on it. “I stood by and watched,” he said.
“The whale was a full grown male measuring approximately 20 feet and weighing about two to three tons,” Boothe said. “The Cuvier's Beaked whale is the most widely distributed of all the beaked whales. They prefer deep offshore waters and live in both cool and tropical oceans.”
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| This sperm whale was found in Cannon Beach around New Year's Eve, with someone allegedly trying to steal its teeth |
Debbie Duffield and her crew from the Marine Mammal Stranding Network headquarters are planning to visit the whale carcass on Tuesday in an attempt to determine how it died.
But the isolation of Crescent Beach presents numerous problems. “We’re not sure how we can get the carcass up that hill,” Chandler said. “We’ll have to figure that out.”
Also, the trail is quite narrow, and Chandler doesn’t believe it can be taken out in pieces, either. It may simply be left to the tides.
A dead beaked whale shows up on the Oregon coast about once every year and a half to two years, but Chandler said his crew expect more. “And it seems like when we see one, there’s often another one or two,” Chandler said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw another one on Tuesday or something.”
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D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
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Arch
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Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
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