The third dead whale to wash up on a Pacifica beach this year has residents concerned; however, researchers believe the latest humpback whale death was unrelated to the previous two.
Partial Necropsy Performed on Dead Humpback Whale on California Beaches
A 33-foot long humpback whale was found Sunday on Esplanade beach. It is the latest whale death in the Pacifica area where previously this year, two other whales have washed ashore. While residents may be concerned, marine officials assure the public that the latest death, while still saddening, is unrelated.
According to spokeswoman Laura Sherr of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, a partial necropsy was performed by staff researchers from the Marine Mammal Center as well as the California Academy of Sciences.
The initial findings from the necropsy revealed injuries that were consistent with blunt force trauma with evidence of hemorrhaging in muscles disarticulated bones. However, the marine official was very careful in explaining that these were preliminary findings and no definitive cause of death has been recorded as of yet.
Marine Biologists Believe Whale Deaths are Unrelated
The main cause of concern for California residents living at Pacifica beaches are the frequency of the deaths.
In April of this year, a badly decaying carcass of a sperm whale had been found near Mori Point. After researchers dissected the massive whale, they were puzzled as to the cause of death. There still has been no official cause of death reported.
One more later in May at Sharp Park Beach, another whale had come to shore. The dead humpback whale was believed to have succumbed to a probable strike from a ship.
Though the frequency of three deaths in four months seems quite high to the public, marine biologists say it is not unusual to have that many deaths. Especially when considering the deaths appear to be unrelated.
The Good News About Humpback Whale Sightings
If there were more deaths in a shorter time frame or if they cause of death were the same for every whale that washed ashore, then it would be more strange and perhaps worrisome. However, Sherr has reported that the number of humpback whales in the Pacific near California is high, which may also account for what seems to be a large number of deaths. Just looking at numbers, the more whales in an area, the higher the likelihood one will die and wash ashore.
Though this specific humpback whale met an unfortunate end on the California beach, Sherr says there have been many reports of live humpback whale sightings in the hundreds in the area, which bodes well for the whale population.
With these saddening concerns about whales in the waters, celebrate nature with Atmoph:
