A young adult humpback whale, measuring 40-feet-long has washed up near Kodiak last week.

The unfortunate Rorqual washed up at mile 42 of the highway near Chiniak, on outlying community on the Kodiak road system. Chiniak has a population of under fifty people and is located about 45 miles to the southeast of the city of Kodiak.

The whale, even though it was of adult size, was evidently killed by Killer Whales, or Orca. This is unusual, as Orca tend to primarily prey on whales of a younger age, usually attacking yearlings or calves.

Humpback whales feed only during the summer months. During the remainder of the year, as they are migrating to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed or give birth, they fast, and do not eat again until returning to polar regions.

The Humpback Whale was included in the whales that were a target for the whaling industry until a moratorium was introduced in 1966. Prior to the moratorium, roughly 90% of the population was killed off from over-hunting.

Stocks have partially recovered but the whale still suffers from entanglement, ship collisions and noise pollution.

Last year on Kodiak Island, there were five Humpbacks among the roughly eight stranded on the shores of Kodiak Island.

The whale will not be removed from the beach. The carcass will be left for the local wildlife that includes Kodiak Bears, foxes, eagles, seagulls and other scavenger birds.