Swampscott Whale Washes Ashore For Second Time: Photos

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A large humpback whale washed ashore on Swampscott's Preston Beach for the second time in the area on Tuesday morning.

Swampscott police, animal control and officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Greater Atlantic Office were on the scene Tuesday morning.

NOAA Communications Specialist Andrea Gomez told Patch the whale carcass was the same one that washed up on a beach in Marblehead two weeks ago and that it was identified through a satellite tag that had been placed on it on May 2.

"The offshore release location had been chosen to minimize the possibility of the carcass coming back to shore," she said of the earlier disposal. "The whale did not decompose as quickly as expected, however, and (Monday) was observed off Marblehead before landing in Swampscott."

She said NOAA is working with the Massachusetts Environmental Police and Swampscott town officials to develop a new disposal plan for the whale.

Patch will update this developing story as more information becomes available.