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September 11, 2006

Dead whale washes up on Block Island / Photo

Photo courtesy of Susan Filippone

NEW SHOREHAM -- A decomposing whale washed up today near Scotch Beach on Block Island's northeast shore, attracting curious viewers and emitting a strong odor that drifted toward town.

Reports indicate the whale is a baleen, meaning it uses plates along its upper jaw to strain food from water, said Scott Comings, director of Block Island programs for The Nature Conservancy. Humpback, finback and blue whales fit into this category, though its species was not identified today.

Northeast winds brought the whale to the shore, Comings said. He planned to consult with Mystic Aquarium about the carcass, but said it might either be dragged out to sea or buried.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:11 PM | Permalink

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Dave Brodeur | September 14, 2006 8:36 PM link

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