Overview
- NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement removed the lower jaw on Nov. 19 to secure the protected teeth and prevent theft.
- Responders anchored the carcass and attached a satellite tag, and teams are collecting targeted tissue and organ samples with IFAW experts assisting on site.
- Town officials say the whale will be towed many miles beyond the drift zone for offshore decomposition, with timing not set but hoped for before Thanksgiving.
- Authorities urge the public to stay at least 300 feet away due to the species’ protected status and potential disease risks.
- The town expects to shoulder towing costs, though officials noted possible cost-sharing or reimbursement opportunities.