Endangered fin whale measuring nearly 50 feet found dead near Anchorage, drawing curious onlookers to beach

An endangered fin whale that washed up near a coastal trail in Alaska's largest city has attracted curious onlookers while biologists seek answers as to what caused the animal's death.

The carcass found over the weekend near Anchorage was 47 feet (14.3 meters) long - comparable to the width of a college basketball court - and female, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration biologists.

Barbara Mahoney, a NOAA biologist examining the whale, told the Anchorage Daily News the whale was likely 1 to 3 years old.