Heartbroken locals tow Festus the giant humpback whale to shore after he is found floating dead off the coast of Alaska 

  • Festus, a 12-metre-long humpback whale, was found dead at the Glacier Bay National Park in southeast Alaska 
  • The male humpback whale, who was first seen and recorded in 1972, appears to have died in late June
  • Festus was towed to a beach so he could be inspected by a team of wildlife biologists and a veterinary pathologist
  • Locals and long-term national park biologists are said to be devastated by his sudden death
  • Festus if the longest-sighted humpback whale in southeast Alaska, entertaining whale watchers for 44 years

By Brianne Tolj For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

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A humpback whale that has been entertaining whale watchers for 44 years was found dead in southeast Alaska last week.

The 12-metre-long male whale, nicknamed Festus, was first seen in 1972 and is the longest sighted humpback whale in the area.

He was found floating in the waters of the Glacier Bay National Park in late June and was towed to a nearby beach on June 26. 

A 12-metre-long male whale named Festus (pictured) that has been entertaining whale watchers for 44 years was found dead in southeast Alaska last week

A 12-metre-long male whale named Festus (pictured) that has been entertaining whale watchers for 44 years was found dead in southeast Alaska last week

He was found floating in the waters of the Glacier Bay National Park in late June and was towed to a nearby beach to so a team of wildlife biologists and a veterinary pathologist soon began an examination into his death (pictured) 

He was found floating in the waters of the Glacier Bay National Park in late June and was towed to a nearby beach to so a team of wildlife biologists and a veterinary pathologist soon began an examination into his death (pictured) 

Festus (pictured) was first seen in the 1970s and is the longest sighted humpback whale in the area

Festus (pictured) was first seen in the 1970s and is the longest sighted humpback whale in the area

Festus was first spotted by researcher Charles Jurasz in 1972 in southeast Alaska. Pictured above is another area whale diving in the water 

Festus was first spotted by researcher Charles Jurasz in 1972 in southeast Alaska. Pictured above is another area whale diving in the water 

The body was already bloated and found lying upside down.

A team of wildlife biologists and a veterinary pathologist soon began an examination of Festus to determine how he died, according to the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

The group took samples from the whale for their research on the species.

Festus was first spotted by researcher Charles Jurasz in 1972. 

The body was already bloated and found lying upside down (pictured) 

The body was already bloated and found lying upside down (pictured) 

Whale lice can be seen scattered on Festus' dark and scarred (pictured)

Whale lice can be seen scattered on Festus' dark and scarred (pictured)

The group took samples from the whale for their research on the species (pictured) 

The group took samples from the whale for their research on the species (pictured) 

He was last seen in Glacier Bay in June 2015.

It is the fourth time the national park has found a dead whale in 15 years.

Two out of the four whales died after being hit by a large boat or ship.

Anyone who was in the area and may have noticed anything peculiar about a whale’s behaviour is asked to call the park.

All photos were taken under Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Permit #18786. 

Festus was last spotted in Glacier Bay in June 2015, according to records at Glacier Bay National Park

Festus was last spotted in Glacier Bay in June 2015, according to records at Glacier Bay National Park

It is the fourth time the national park has found a dead whale in 15 years

It is the fourth time the national park has found a dead whale in 15 years

Two out of the four whales died after being hit by a large boat or ship

Two out of the four whales died after being hit by a large boat or ship

The samples taken from the bodies of each dead whale are tested and help provide more information about humpback whales

The massive whale was said to be a favourite among tourists and biologists at the park 

The massive whale was said to be a favourite among tourists and biologists at the park 

One team member was tasked with sharpening tools to cut through the whale's thick skin 

One team member was tasked with sharpening tools to cut through the whale's thick skin 

Festus' death is said to be very significant to long-term whale biologists at the park

Festus' death is said to be very significant to long-term whale biologists at the park

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