HAMMOND, Oregon – Scientists in Oregon have determined a recently beached whale died after being hit by a ship.

Federal biologists with NOAA Fisheries determined the cause of death for the 40-foot sperm whale on Monday, January 16th.

The whale washed ashore on Sunday, January 15th, at Fort Stevens State Park in northwestern Oregon.

The biologists determined it was a 20-year-old male who was killed after being struck in the side by a ship.

Members of the NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammals Stranding Network removed the whale’s lower jaw and teeth in order to protect the remains from looters.

Sperm whales, the largest toothed whale, were nearly decimated by the whaling industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

They are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.