Dead Humpback whale found on Corolla beach, North Carolina

© Karen Clark | Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

A 29-foot female juvenile humpack whale was found near the Lighthouse Road beach access in Corolla, N.C.

Scientists today examined a dead female humpback whale that washed ashore Tuesday afternoon.

The juvenile was found near the Lighthouse Road beach access in Corolla with entanglement scars from fishing nets.

The whale, which was about 30 feet long and weighed 25,000 pounds, otherwise appeared healthy and had recently eaten menhaden, said William McLellan, the North Carolina State Stranding Coordinator.

Whale strandings -- especially this time of year -- are not uncommon and happen frequently on the Outer Banks, more so than anywhere else on the East Coast, he said. There have been 100 whale strandings in 15 years, he said.

Humpback whales are an endangered species.

Scientists collected the head and tissue samples to find out how it died. They will also examine whether it was affected by cetacean morbillivirus -- which affects the lungs and brain -- suspected of killing dozens of dolphins in Virginia and North Carolina in 2013.

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