Rarely Seen Whale Washes Ashore Steep Hill Beach

IPSWICH, MA — Police say a rarely seen whale washed ashore Steep Hill Beach Tuesday. The whale died shortly after hitting land, passing before a rescue attempt could be made, according to Ipswich police.

The New England Aquarium identified it as a pygmy sperm whale. The Seacoast Science Center in Rye, N.H., will examine it, and the whale will be brought to the New England Aquarium for a necropsy as researchers try to learn more about the whales.

It is unknown how many pygmy sperm whales exist. Most of what is known about them comes from examining carcasses.

Ipswich Police photos