A dead whale was found beached on the shore in York Friday night.

York Police reported that a Minke Whale washed up on the shore of Long Sands beach. The nonprofit organization Marine Mammals of Maine removed the whale after the tide went out. Members worked in the middle of the night to remove the carcass, which was transported from the beach on the back of a flatbed truck.

Minke whales have been found to be over 30 feet in length and can weigh up around 10-12 tons, which is slightly smaller than a humpback whale. Minke whales typically live between 30-50 years, but in some cases, they may live for up to 60 years. They can be found in both the north Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and can even be found in Antartica.

According to a Portland Press Herald article from 2020, Marine Mammals of Maine responds to about 300 reports of animal strandings per year — 90% of which are seals, and the remainder of which are dolphins, whales and porpoises.

If you come across a stranded or beached marine animal, local experts ask that you stay far away from the animal and call the MMOME hotline immediately at 1-800-532-9551.

To read the original Portland Press Herald article, click here.

To see the York Maine Police Departments original Facebook post, click here.