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© Center for Coastal Studies A rarely-seen beaked whale stranded in Provincetown Harbor Wednesday
A rarely-seen beaked whale stranded in Provincetown Harbor Wednesday. According to a Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) release, the whale died before a rescue could be attempted. CCS researchers responded and identified the animal as a beaked whale, although the species has yet to be determined.

The Provincetown Harbormaster and his crew assisted CCS with recovering the whale and towing it into the harbor. Researchers from the Yarmouth Port-based International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) will transported the whale to their facilities where a necropsy will be performed to determine cause of death, the release said.

A deep water species, beaked whales are typically only encountered hundreds of miles from shore. In July, a dead beaked whale washed ashore in Plymouth. Researchers from New England Aquarium responded on that day. According to the New England Aquarium, beaked whales are most often encountered by commercial fisherman when they are caught as by-catch. The last time aquarium researchers had encountered a beaked whale was in Duxbury in 2006.

The whale's dolphin-like beak gives them their name, the CCS release said.