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What can Anchorage's beached whale teach us? | Talk of Alaska

A fin whale washed ashore on Anchorage's mudflats over the weekend. By Nov. 18, it had started to freeze over. (Wesley Early/Alaska Public Media)
A fin whale washed ashore on Anchorage's mudflats over the weekend. By Nov. 18, it had started to freeze over. (Wesley Early/Alaska Public Media)

Whales hold a deep and an outsized role in Alaska’s culture. The huge sea mammals are a centuries long mainstay of steady protein for Alaska Native communities and they invoke mystique and power for many Alaskans. A dead fin whale that washed up near Anchorage is bringing hundreds of spectators to the beach. What is the whale teaching biologists about the health of Alaska’s whale populations and by extension the health of oceans? We'll learn more on the next Talk of Alaska

LISTEN:

HOST: Lori Townsend

GUESTS:

  • Natalie Rouse, M.S. - Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services
  • Dr. Mandy Keogh - Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, NOAA Alaska Regional Office
  • Barbara Mahoney - Assistant Stranding Program Coordinator, NOAA Anchorage Field Office

RESOURCES:

PARTICIPATE:

Call  907-550-8422 (Anchorage) or  1-800-478-8255 (statewide) during the live broadcast.

Send an email to  talk@alaskapublic.org (Comments may be read on air).

Post your comment during or after the live broadcast on social media (Comments may be read on air).

LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, November 26, at 10 a.m. on Alaska public radio stations statewide.

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.