Calf leads to discovery of extraordinarily large whale carcass in the port of Naples

The Italian coast guard had initially been alerted by a young whale in distress in the port of Sorrento at the southern coast of Naples, Italy. Divers then discovered the giant carcass of a 24-metre long fin whale close to the harbour entrance.

Once the carcass surfaced, it took several hours to secure it and an additional two days and two patrol boats to tow the animal into the port. In the meantime, the younger whale had swum off to sea.

With a length of 24 metres and weighing in at 72 metric tons, this fin whale is among the largest ever found stranded. Marine biologists will dissect the animal in the upcoming days to determine a cause of death. The bones will eventually be put on display in a museum.

One of the largest fin whales was found stranded dear the port of Sorrento, Italy.

The full article can be found here: Fin whale found dead off Naples coast after calf leads Italian coastguard to discovery - ABC News