Dead killer whale calf to be studied in Alaska

ANCHORAGE (AP) — On Friday evening, after all the human patients were finished for the day at the Alaska Spine Institute’s imaging center, a dead killer whale calf underwent a CT scan and an MRI.

The whale offered a rare opportunity for extensive study, both because of the small size and good condition.

“It’s very sad when a baby whale dies, but the amount of scientific information we are going to be able to get over the next 24 hours is going to be tremendous,” said Judy St. Leger, director of pathology and research for SeaWorld who has studied killer whales for 13 years.

In Alaska, such test...