Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A North Atlantic right whale washed ashore on a Virginia barrier island, according to federal scientists, marking the second whale of the endangered species to be found dead off the U.S. East Coast this year and the 43rd confirmed death under an ongoing unusual mortality event.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the development Thursday in a statement.
According to the agency, it was informed of the carcass Tuesday after biologists from The Nature Conservancy found the carcass of the 3-year-old female whale in a remote area of a barrier island off Virginia's eastern shore.
By reviewing images taken of the carcass, New England Aquarium officials were able to identify the whale as the calf of "Porcia," a 25-year-old right whale, NOAA said.
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