SF Gate: Sightings of Multiple Dead Whales Reported Across Bay Area
- Behavior
- Species conservation
- Population monitoring
Published in SF Gate: August 11, 2024
A dead humpback whale washed up on a San Francisco beach Friday after officials received several reports of other dead whales observed floating in the water last week.
"The animal was in a moderate to advanced state of decomposition,"
“The animal was in a moderate to advanced state of decomposition,” a statement from the institution read.
Last Monday, prior to the stranding, fishers reported sightings of another dead whale floating in a shipping channel off the Farallon Islands to the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center, which has not yet been able to confirm its species or exact location.
On Thursday, the organization received two additional reports of dead whales, including one floating beneath the Golden Gate Bridge that necropsy manager Barbie Halaska identified as a juvenile male humpback after taking samples of its skin and blubber. It was last seen floating near Point Bonita. At first, experts weren't certain if it was a third deceased whale altogether, but later determined it was the same one seen at Fort Funston.
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