One dead whale, Three different reports, all with different sizes and resolutions
Well, here's 1 report:
OCEAN CITY – A dead humpback whale washed ashore in Ocean City on Thursday, sending droves of onlookers to the stinky scene, and resort officials scrambling to plan for its disposal.
Coast Guard officials in boats and lifeguards on the beach worked together to tie a giant rope around it, with hopes of towing it far out to sea. The stench of the dead whale, acrid like dog breath, hung in the air and wafted downwind as far as the Inlet.
But they couldn’t safely get it into the water, and officials instead managed to cart away and bury the whale. The 30-foot long carcass will be examined Friday by scientists from the National Aquarium in Baltimore before the town hauls it away for disposal. The disposal site is the infield at the town's municipal airport in Berlin.
(I thought they said they buried it)???Lifeguards watched the beast drift inland about 5 p.m. Several dozen onlookers quickly gathered as it reached the shorebreak at Fourth Street. Police soon arrived to secure the swath of beach around the decomposed creature as it flopped in crashing waves.
Ocean City Beach Patrol Lt. Ward Kovacs stood safely upwind, perched on a wooden beach stand. He said he's seen plenty of dead whales come ashore, and this one appeared to have been deceased for a long time, he said.
And while lifeguards on chairs may have gotten the first look at the whale while still offshore, people on the beach were using their noses to detect its arrival.
Several bystanders were overcome with the stench of the dead animal and walked off as quickly as they were drawn to the scene by crowds. Many were heard to say, "it's too much for me," as they covered their noses and mouths. Some appeared to gag.
Mayor Rick Meehan said town officials needed approval from federal agency NOAA before making plans to move it because humpback whales are an endangered species.
"The problem is, once it's on our beach, it's basically our responsibility," he said.
It's the second dead whale to hit Ocean City's beach this year. An even bigger whale washed ashore on St. Patrick's Day weekend, and town officials had to cart it away on a flatbed truck.
Kelly Rouston, visiting from Hanover, Pa., with her four children, was hoping to take a dip in the ocean. But that wasn't an option, as officials kept the amazed crowd far from the shorebreak and tidal pools.
"It's disgusting," Rouston said with a laugh. "It's something we'll never see again, that's for sure. It's definitely unbelievable to see that."
"Nasty!" sneered daughter Kendall, 6.
"Disgusting and gross," agreed daughter Skylr, 7.
"It's awesome!" said her son Harrison, age 4, perched on the shoulders of his sister Ashley, 13.
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