Date 2005-01-16
Location North Pacific Ocean, United States, Hawaii, Maui, Kealia
Species Pygmy sperm whale
Number 1
Stranded Alive N/A
Behavior if alive N/A
Notes The whale was an adult male, "estimated to be between 9 and 15 years old" (Tanji 2005a) and "about 10 feet long" (Kubota).

The whale stranding was reported "a day after a mother and calf of the same species beached themselves in the same area [See ID# 196]." (Hurley)

Although the whale was found the day after the other whales stranded, it "probably beached itself about the same time as" the other whales (Kubota).

The whale "was in an advanced state of decomposition when found ... and examiners were unable to conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death. Portions of the body had also been eaten by sharks, probably after dying." (Kubota)

"A DNA sample was taken Sunday to see if the male is related to the other two whales." (Tanji 2005b)
Ref Hurley, T. (2005, January 18). Even whale experts ask, 'What's going on?'. The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved February 13, 2005 from http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Jan/18/ln/ln02p.html

Kubota, G.T. (2005, January 19). Another whale beaches on Maui. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved February 13, 2005, from http://starbulletin.com/2005/01/19/news/story8.html

Tanji, M. (2005a, January 17). Dead whale washes ashore. The Maui News. Retrieved February 13, 2005, from http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=5075

Tanji, M. (2005b, January 18). Beachings cause unknown; calf hasn’t reappeared. The Maui News. Retrieved February 13, 2005, from http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=5103
Last Updated 2005-03-19
ID 197