Stranded Right Whale is Removed from Cow Bay
The young right whale was found by a walker Sunday.
The young right whale was found by a walker Sunday.
A location beacon was attached the previous day in case the whale moved during the night.
A location beacon was attached the previous day in case the whale moved during the night.
NOAA said a rope appeared to be entangled near the whale's tail.
NOAA said a rope appeared to be entangled near the whale's tail.
A NOAA official walks past the dead right whale Wednesday.
A NOAA official walks past the dead right whale Wednesday.
IFAW team prepares to begin operations.
IFAW team prepares to begin operations.
Misty Niemeyer (Stranding Coordinator) for IFAW.
Misty Niemeyer (Stranding Coordinator) for IFAW.
Tugboat Thuban waits in the bay to start pulling.
Tugboat Thuban waits in the bay to start pulling.
Brian Sharp of IFAW does some shoveling in the downtime.
Brian Sharp of IFAW does some shoveling in the downtime.
IFAW team meticulously checks and documents the whale.
IFAW team meticulously checks and documents the whale.
Attaching the towing line to the tail.
Attaching the towing line to the tail.
Alice June Thompson (center) reacts to seeing the whale.
Alice June Thompson (center) reacts to seeing the whale.
Rob Morrison (right) of the Edgartown Shellfish Department transports IFAW team members to other various vessels.
Rob Morrison (right) of the Edgartown Shellfish Department transports IFAW team members to other various vessels.
Beginning to pull.
Beginning to pull.
A buoy line fails under the intense force.
A buoy line fails under the intense force.
A tug boat was called into service to help move the carcass.
A tug boat was called into service to help move the carcass.
More shoveling was needed.
More shoveling was needed.
Getting the dead whale out of Cow Bay proved a struggle.
Getting the dead whale out of Cow Bay proved a struggle.
The Thuban arrives with its cargo at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard in Vineyard Haven harbor.
The Thuban arrives with its cargo at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Thuban crew helping to pull whale into position, Billy Mabie (center).
Thuban crew helping to pull whale into position, Billy Mabie (center).
IFAW team positions the carcass with a small skiff.
IFAW team positions the carcass with a small skiff.
IFAW team positions the carcass with a small skiff.
IFAW team positions the carcass with a small skiff.
The right whale arrives in Vineyard Haven harbor before being trucked to Aquinnah.
The right whale arrives in Vineyard Haven harbor before being trucked to Aquinnah.
In position under the boat hoist at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard.
In position under the boat hoist at Martha's Vineyard Shipyard.
The whale was dropped on the first attempt.
The whale was dropped on the first attempt.
The whale is pulled from the water in Vineyard Haven.
The whale is pulled from the water in Vineyard Haven.
Evidence of entanglement still present around the tail.
Evidence of entanglement still present around the tail.
A tarp-covered truck bed waits for the whale.
A tarp-covered truck bed waits for the whale.
Necropsy is performed in Aquinnah.
Necropsy is performed in Aquinnah.
