Dead Whale Washes Up in Duxbury

DUXBURY – An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death of a 55 foot fin whale that washed up in Duxbury yesterday morning.

A marine mammal team from New England Aquarium performed a necropsy on the animal and took tissue samples, there were no obvious injuries.

The samples could take weeks to get back. Part of the beach was closed while the team examined the whale, which was spotted floating in Cape Cod Bay before washing up in Duxbury.

Fin backs are endangered and are the second most numerous whales in this area, second only to humpbacks.