Beached whale found in Accomack County over weekend

A beached whale was found over the weekend in Accomack County, and may have died from being entangled in a rope or line.

According to officials with the Virginia Aquarium, this whale was found on Saturday in a marsh area near Wachapreague.

It is a mature female Minke Whale, and 47ABC is told they are not uncommon in our area.

Officials say one or two minke whales are stranded on the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina every year.

The whale was apparently stranded while it was still alive, but when officials found it, it was in already beginning to decompose.

Officials say they took samples for various tests and left the body there to decompose, saying they prefer to let nature take its course as such a large animal provides sustenance for a tremendous number of other animals.