Dwarf sperm whale
© NOAA Dead dwarf sperm whale
A female dwarf sperm whale carcass was found on the Makena shoreline on Maui Saturday prompting a multi-agency response.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says a witness saw two small whales stranded in Makena on Maui's west shore around 7:30 in the morning.

When crews arrived, they discovered a dead 7-foot whale on shore.

NOAA, with help from Maui County and the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, have removed the dead whale and transported it to Oahu where a necropsy has been conducted.

Teams from the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University are taking part in the investigation.

Dr. Kristi West, an associate biology professor from HPU who is leading the procedure, says the whale is a pregnant female citing the discovery of small fetus, according to preliminary necropsy findings.

West added that they discovered some signs of trauma due to bruising on one of its lungs.

The team is now sending samples out to be tested to make more conclusion in the necropsy.

West says her teams rarely examine dwarf sperm whales, which are known to feed under 3,000 feet of water and are generally known to avoid boats.