Not too sure about that Melissa ... interesting thought. I'm looking forward to getting the data from these stomach contents that we're amassing here.
I've just a few other pics that I'll post - mainly because there aren't that many different pics of strandings out there for people to use (sure, there are many of masses, but few close ups; they're mostly press shots). I hope I'm not boring anyone with countless shots of death.
I have a good reason for taking so many pics (and video) of these stranded specimens, but this will not become apparent for a year or so (a long-term project that is about to get off the ground).
At this point (following pic) the whale is being pulled out of a depression in the sand, left after the tide receded. It is completely intact, although it has been dead for some 36hrs; the water in the depression is largely blood, and has probably come from a ruptured tongue (protruding from the throat). For reasons that will become apparent in a year-or-so, this is a major concern
In this shot the unusual dorsal ridge system towards the posterior of the whale is most pronounced. As you get older you forget a few things (and get wrinkles), but I don't recollect having seen this so pronounced in the past; I must check the archive images.
The blubber layer is extremely thick on this bull, and the tools available rather inadequate to handle the size of the specimen. The grader was called in to assist in removing the blubber layer so that DOC staff could remove the lower jaw for local Maori/iwi (as is customary). It might look barbaric, and the job is not for the faint of heart, but it is something that they are obliged to do.