A dead 30 foot long humpback whale that washed onto Fernandina Beach early Sunday is the latest in an alarming increase in fatalities for the federally endangered mammal. The whale showed signs of scavenging by sharks, FWC officials said, which are natural predators to humpback whales.

Marine and wildlife crews are trying determine why the humpback whale died. Before the whale was buried under the sand on Monday, samples were collected so that a necropsy, which is similar to an autopsy, can be performed to determine the cause of death.

It could take months or even years, for the whale's body to completely decompose under the sand, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said there are no health or safety risks for people who want to come out to the beach. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission states that anyone who sees a beached whale or dolphin is asked to immediately call FWC or 1-877-WHALE-HELP. People may do more harm than good if they try to push it back into the water on their own.