SEASIDE, Wash., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The body of a baby killer whale found washed ashore on a Washington beach will undergo tests at an Oregon university, wildlife officials said.
A necropsy on the baby orca found near Seaview, Wash., will be performed at Portland State University, KVAL-TV, Eugene, Ore., reported Tuesday.
The small female whale, measuring less than 8 feet, was recovered by Fish and Wildlife officers who turned the body over to workers at the Seaside Aquarium, who contacted experts at the university.
"Experts have already determined that this animal was not a still born as first believed and that it probably died from complications from a hiatal hernia," the aquarium said.
"They are hoping to determine what type of regional ecological group this whale belonged to," it said. "There are three different recognized ecotypes among the killer whale population; residents, transients and offshore.
"This is a very valuable specimen," the aquarium said.
"This is the first killer whale to wash ashore in our area in about eight years and the first newborn killer whale to wash ashore in our area in the 16-year history of Seaside Aquarium's involvement with the Stranding network," it said.
