COASTAL 



TIDINGS 



Rare Whale Excites Researchers 



Early morning beach- 

 combers stumbled upon much 

 more than bits of shell and fossil 

 on Jan. 28. They found a rare 

 1 4-foot whale. 



The marine mammal, 

 identified as a male dense 

 beaked whale, was found 

 washed ashore on a beach near 

 Kure Beach. It was transported 

 to the University of North 

 Carolina at Wilmington, where 

 scientists conducted a necropsy, 

 or animal autopsy. 



"It is a deep diver that 

 feeds on organisms found in the 

 deep ocean. This is an animal 

 that is really out of its element, 

 and can tell us about the 

 Researchers at UNC-Wilmington measure and evaluate deep ocean," says Ann Pabst, 



a male dense beaked whale that washed ashore in January. U NC-W professor of biological 



The rare animal drew a crowd of spectators. sciences. 



The carcass was in good 



condition, and necropsy results revealed no apparent cause of death. Tissue samples were collected 

 and sent, along with some body parts, to various universities and institutions for further study. 



Dense beaked whale strandings are a rarity, as is research on the deep-water species. The 

 Wilm 'mgon Star-News reported that over the past 200 years, only 47 dense beaked whales have been 

 documented in the United States, with three adult males discovered in North Carolina. — LL 



ailqrs' Decorative 

 arving on Display 



During the 18th century, sailors on whal- 

 ing ships often etched intricate designs on sperm 

 whale teeth, an art known as scrimshaw. 



They also crafted practical items like pie 

 crimpers, needle holders and clothespins. 



Examples of scrimshaw from a North 

 Carolina collector are on display through April 

 1 8 at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. 



The collection includes a number of 

 scenes etched on sperm whale teeth, including 

 square-rigger sailing ships, whales and sailors 

 or captains performing daily duties. A straight- 

 edged razor, a bone letter opener, sewing and 

 crocheting instruments, and a wooden box with 

 33 dominoes also are on display. 



There is no admission charge to view the 

 exhibit. For more information, call 252/728- 

 7317; e-mail: maritime@ncmail.net. 



Go online to: www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/ 

 sections/maritime/default.htm and click on 

 calendar of events. — A.G. 



Red-Cockaded 

 Woodpecker 

 Getsllelp 



Landowners in the coastal plain 

 may be eligible for a grant from the 

 N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to 

 help red-cockaded woodpeckers. 



The commission will administer 

 funds from a $1 65,000 grant from 

 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) 

 to help landowners with habitat 

 enhancement projects for the federally 

 endangered species. 



The red-cockaded woodpecker, 

 once abundant in the southeastern states, 

 has been on the endangered list since 

 studies in the 1 970s showed that the bird 

 was headed for extinction. The USFWS 

 estimates a total population of 1 2,500 

 over its entire range. 



The decline has been attributed to 

 the loss of southern pine forests, which 

 the birds prefer for nestmaking. In North 

 Carolina, the Croatan National Forest, 

 Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and 

 Holly Shelter Gamelands support some of 

 the largest populations of the red-cock- 

 aded woodpecker in the coastal plain. 



To qualify for a grant, landowners 

 must be willing to sign a land management 

 agreement and to share at least 25 percent 

 of the cost of habitat improvements. 



Those improvements might include 

 planting longleaf pines, creating artificial 

 cavities in trees, thinning pine stands, or 

 planting native grasses and wildflowers. 



Those interested in applying should 

 call the N.C. Division of Wildlife Manage- 

 ment at 91 9/733-7291. -P.S. 



COASTWATCH 3 



