NEWPORT, Ore. - Authorities are trying to track down anyone who illegally removed parts from a dead beached whale near Seal Rock over the weekend.

The female 41-foot Gray Whale washed ashore Sunday. Since then, someone took the baleen from the right jaw as well as parts of the body and skin. Baleen is long, straw-like fiber whales use to filter food from the water.

Authorities said the taking of marine mammal parts is a federal crime - and it may also make people sick.

“It’s a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to remove any portion of a dead whale such as this,” said Jim Rice of the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center in a news release. “But more than that, it’s a serious health concern. These are wild animals that could expose a person to a variety of bacteria, viruses or diseases. The public should treat them like you would any other wild animal, and stay away from the carcass until it is properly disposed of.”

Scientists said Tuesday they might not be able to determine what killed the whale due to decomposition and the limited amounts of organ samples that could be taken from the carcass. 

Oregon State Parks is forming a plan to either remove or bury the whale in the next few days.

Anyone with information on the taking of mammal parts is asked to call the state police tip line at 1-800-452-7888.