Young Gray Whale Dies From Boat Propeller Injuries
Photo credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
A 32-foot gray whale was found dead under a Washington state ferry terminal in downtown Seattle.
Initial necropsy results indicate that the whale died after being struck by a large propeller, leaving deep gashes in its right side and back. The raw force of the propeller sheared off one of the whale’s ribs, causing a quick but painful death.
Biologists believe the whale died on Monday, January 19 or Tuesday, January 20, days before its body was found in the Colman Dock ferry terminal.
An exam of the whale discovered it was a young female, only two or three years old, and over 30 feet in length.
She was in very good health before her death.
Most of the gray whales in the Washington area have migrated south for the winter, so biologists are unsure what brought the young whale into the Puget Sound.
Scientists are planning to tow the whale’s remains out to sea to decompose naturally.
This species was removed from Endangered Species Act Protection in 1994 as the population recovered, but they are still protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
NOAA will be looking over the necropsy results to determine if they should investigate.
