[Mike]

Whale deaths spur investigation

http://www.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=3778993

PORTLAND, Maine Federal officials are organizing whale researchers to
investigate reports of nearly two dozen whale deaths between Maine and
Virginia this summer.

The National Marine Fisheries Service says the dead whales were
reported between July first and August 23rd in various locations along
the northeastern U-S.

They were identified as mostly minke and humpback whales. There were NO
reported spottings of carcasses of the endangered North Atlantic right
whale.

Katie Touhey (TOO’-ee) with the Cape Cod Stranding Network says
researchers hope to determine the cause of deaths and if they are
connected in any way.