GORHAM, Maine — Buried under several feet of manure, sawdust, and other carbon sources rests the 38-foot humpback whale, known by its nickname of "Chunk."
Under the cloak of darkness, the mammal was brought to Benson Farm in Gorham Thursday night with the help of a police escort, farm manager Brandon Hale said.
"I guess they'd rather not have a whale going down the road in the middle of the day," Brandon noted.
Chunk was pulled from Casco Bay earlier that day. Photos showed her wrapped in a net.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on social media a necropsy performed by Marine Mammals of Maine and other partners revealed Chunk died by drowning.
Which was "likely due to its interaction with the net," NOAA Marine Mammal Policy Analyst Jennifer Goebel said.
Chunk is now decomposing at the fourth-generation farm that turns seafood waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer.
“You know, even when it’s here, it’s a very majestic animal," farm employee Erica Hale said. "Working with Marine Mammals of Maine and the other bodies that came and were a part of this—they’re very respectful, very professional, very thorough. They had a moment of silence for the whale before they began working on it to do the investigation."
Erica Hale recalled when a rare right whale had been brought to the farm, noting the education that comes along with it.
"It's been fascinating to learn more about the whales," she said.
Brandon Hale said usually scientists will return once the whale decomposes to collect the bones.
"Typically between six to nine months," he said. "They usually go to a museum or exhibit of some sort."
NOAA said the investigation into the whale is ongoing.