In a city where the thrill of whale watching lures thousands of tourists and Bostonians out to sea all summer long, the death of Vector, a majestic 40-ton humpback whale that beached on Cape Cod, set off an intense race among scientists. It was a rare chance to explore how we, as a society, are harming our oceans and the magnificent creatures that live in them. This story, by our writers Jessica Colarossi and Sara Rimer, captures a frantic 72 hours in the life of a team of determined, passionate researchers who are given a rare chance to glimpse inside the world of an intact, minimally damaged 80,000 pound whale carcass, so they could learn its habits, its health, and, most important, the causes that led to its death.
From the Judges
The writer does very well in conveying a sense of urgency and importance shared among the scientists. Great quotes and use of humor.
