The Seaside Aquarium is asking beach visitors to help protect a Fin whale that stranded dead at Sunset Beach State Park Feb. 12.
“Leave the carcass undisturbed and urge others to do the same,” the Aquarium states in a Facebook post.
Fin whales are the second largest whale in the world, after Blue whales, and they are protected by law.
“Our best chance of learning what happened to this endangered species is to examine the carcass, but any disturbance or interaction with the carcass compromises that opportunity,” the Facebook post reads.
The Seaside Aquarium’s necropsy team was scheduled to be at the scene of the stranding Feb. 13, for the examination.
“Please help us until then by staying away from the carcass and keeping your pets and children at a safe distance. We recommend at least 100 yards from this and all other stranded marine mammals,” the Aquarium stated.