As stated in the article "In this region, residents aren't equipped with the explosive harpoons used for hunting bowhead in Alaska's far north" and "Pitka said he was told it took "hundreds of shots" to kill it"
Might as "whale" beat the poor animal to death with clubs. And they thought it might get away also. Very poor choice by these people. Once again, wanton waste by the culture that says all game is sacred and should be respected.
Utterly unbelievable and disgusting that this has happened.