(SitNews) - A team of six veterinarians performed a necropsy Wednesday on the second killer that was found dead along the Nushagak River last weekend. The necropsy took place near Black Point, downriver from Portage Creek on the Nushagak River.

Veterinarians report the killer whale was an adult female which measured 6-meters, 45-centimeters (slightly larger than the adult female examined Tuesday, which measured 6-meters, 20-centimeters).

It showed signs of moderate scavenging, but no signs of human interaction. The necropsy revealed no specific indication as to cause of death. The team collected a full range of samples from the animal.

As of Wednesday, there is no specific concern that ties the deaths of the two killer whales together, but that is a question that is under investigation.

There have been no reported sightings of the third killer whale, a smaller whale thought to be a juvenile, since it was last seen swimming downriver of Portage Creek on Saturday.

The team of veterinarians planned to depart from Dillingham Wednesday, taking with them over 100 samples to be analyzed. A full necropsy report is expected in 4-6 weeks.

Related:

Nushagak Whales Update

Carcasses of two killer whales found up river near Dillingham

Three killer whales loitering in fresh water 30 miles up river near Dillingham

Source of News: 

NOAA
www.noaa.gov

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