Dead humpback whale found in Glacier Bay National Park

  • By LISA PHU
  • Tuesday, June 28, 2016 10:09pm
  • News

The longest sighted humpback whale recorded in Southeast Alaska was found dead Sunday morning.

“Festus” — or whale #441 in fluke identification photos — was floating in Glacier Bay National Park water off Point Carolus, according to a Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve news release. Charter vessel operator Paul Johnson on the M/V Yakobi reported the whale to park staff around 10:20 a.m. Sunday.

After notifying the National Marine Fisheries Service, park staff towed the whale to shore on Sunday afternoon and it will go through a necropsy examination on Tuesday.

A preliminary examination of the carcass by park biologists indicates that it is an adult male, about 40 feet in length. More information on the cause of death and the condition of the whale is expected to be available after the necropsy.

Researcher Charles Jurasz first documented Festus in Lynn Canal in 1972. Listed in the Juneau Flukes Catalog, fisheries biologist John Moran saw Festus in the Juneau area in 2007. He was last sighted in June 2015 in Glacier Bay, according to the news release. With a 44-year sighting history, Festus was the longest-sighted humpback whale recorded in Southeast Alaska. Glacier Bay National Park is encouraging anyone with pertinent information, or who may have seen a sick or injured whale in the area recently to call (907) 697-2230.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area in the past several days and may have observed anything unusual so that we can better understand causes of humpback whale mortality,” Superintendent Philip Hooge said in the release.

Contact reporter Lisa Phu at 523-2246 or lisa.phu@juneauempire.com.

More in News

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaskan volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai land sales proposal delayed amid council concerns

The ordinance would amend city code to add new language allowing officers and employees to participate in property sales.

Greg Springer delivers a presentation on sockeye fishing during A Day at the River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gearing up for summer fishing

Trout Unlimited and the Kenai Watershed Forum host “A Day at the River.”

Most Read