- On December 10, the body of a 52-foot-long juvenile female fin whale with zigzag and stripe scars washed up on Pacific Beach
- At first, scientists thought a shark might have caused the wounds, but experts determined that the real culprit was killer whales
- The number of orca sightings off the coast of California has increased this year, in what observers are calling “killer whale madness.”
Scientists have discovered the horrific cause of death of an endangered fin whale that washed ashore in San Diego earlier this month.
On Dec. 10, the body of a 52-foot-long juvenile female fin whale with zigzag and stripe scars washed up on Pacific Beach, NBC 7 reported.
Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially thought the bite marks were from sharks, but were shocked to learn the real culprit.
Michael Milstein, a NOAA spokesman, said a panel of experts brought in to investigate the case concluded that the scars were “computational marks” and that they were a killer whale signature.
“There have been other documented cases of orcas preying on fin whales that became stranded while trying to escape,” Milstein said.
On December 10, the body of a 52-foot-long juvenile female fin whale with zigzag and stripe scars washed up on Pacific Beach
Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially thought the bite marks were from sharks, but were shocked to learn that the real culprit was killer whales
This whale appeared to be otherwise healthy, so scientists were puzzled as to why it had lunged ashore.
'We were surprised. “The animal appeared to be healthy based on its physical condition and robustness,” Kerri Danil, a research biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service who studied the whale, told The Washington Post.
According to Milstein, fin whales are critically endangered and considered “pretty rare.” They are the second largest species of whale after the blue whale and it is thought that this whale may have weighed up to 100,000 pounds.
When her carcass washed up, the whale appeared to be bleeding from its side. Lifeguards tried to get her body into the sea but were unsuccessful.
There has been an increase in killer sightings off the coast of California.
Earlier this month, a killer whale was spotted playing a thrilling game of cat and mouse with a dolphin near San Diego.
In a recent sighting, the marine mammals were seen actively chasing and biting a dolphin, all within sight of California sailors and tourists.
Fin whales are critically endangered and considered “fairly rare.” They are the second largest species of whale after the blue whale and it is thought that this whale may have weighed up to 100,000 pounds
When her carcass washed up, the whale appeared to be bleeding from its side. Lifeguards tried to get her body into the sea
Michael Milstein, a NOAA spokesman, said a panel of experts brought in to investigate the case concluded that the scars were “computational marks” and that they were a killer whale signature
Observers called the relay “killer whale madness” and called the sighting a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Orcas typically travel in groups of up to 40 members.
Each pod has its own specific clicking sound, making it easier for members to recognize and communicate with each other.
Of the three killer whale species, it is estimated that about 200 transient orcas live off the California coast and hunt marine mammals.
Orca migration patterns are unpredictable. They appear sporadically, meaning the opportunity to see them off the coast of California is short-lived.