Minke Whale Found Dead off Chatham had Infection

CHATHAM – An 18-foot minke whale that died in Chatham’s Stage Harbor on July 6 was suffering from multi-symptom infections.

Officials with the International Fund for Animal Welfare performed a necropsy on the whale after it was hauled out of the water at Barn Hill town landing.

The cause of the infection is still unknown, but an IFAW official said the whale had recently been feeding.

The minke was first spotted on July 5 lingering in the harbor.

It was found dead early the next morning in the Oyster Pond River.